ARTICLE - MANIGAT - PROBLEM WITH PRIMATURE

"I HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE PRIMATURE", SAYS MIRLANDE MANIGAT
(Haiti Libre) -

Reacting Wednesday, to the favorable vote of the Senate for the Prime Minister-designate, Laurent Lamothe, Mrs. Mirlande Manigat took the opportunity to share some thoughts in this context, on the Constitution, its application and what should be clarified.

"[...] I would say [that the Senate vote] emphasizes the necessity of an enforcement of the Constitution. There are two points for example, that the Constitution mentions and would need more precision.

The first point is, what is current affairs? I believe that we need a law of application that says what is called current affairs, how long a person will remain to discuss current affairs, and who can make the decision to end the discussion period. I think this is very important.

The second point, is that the Constitution requires a law of application, relating to residence [...] What is the minimum duration so that we can say that a person in the year 2012 has resided in Haiti? I think a certificate from a court is not sufficient, because it's very easy [to get]. I have been a candidate several times. You go to a tribunal of Peace, it gives you a certificate of good conduct, and a certificate of residence... This is a joke! I believe that we need a law that should interpret the Constitution.

[...] It was a political vote, it is certain. Therefore, each person voted in his direction, according to his political interests. The law was not violated yesterday evening. [...] Now, all the requirements of section 157 have they been adequately examined, and well observed ?

Personally I have a big problem with the Primature. First, I think we had 16 prime ministers since 1988, and this tandem is the head of the Executive. It does not work, especially since the President can not dismiss the Prime Minister. It is Parliament which appoints him, it is the Parliament that can remove him.

I think we are not sufficiently advanced in the practice of democracy, to have something like that. Then, about the procedure, I will tell you personally, if a person is appointed Prime Minister, he knows that he has a Via Crucis, in 4 stations. Yesterday evening, it was the Senate who voted for the nomination, it is necessary that the Chamber of Deputies also votes for the nomination. If the Chamber of Deputies does not vote for him, things completely stops. If the Chamber of Deputies votes for him, it's not finished yet. It is necessary that the Prime Minister appoints his cabinet and presents it to the Lower House first or the Senate, there is no order to do it. He [the Prime Minister] has to present his statement of General Policy..."