Haitians are today, June 21, following closely a session of the National Assembly to decide whether to extend the mandate of interim president Jocelerme Privert, or appointing another interim head of state.
In the last few hours the chairman of the opposition bloc in the Senate, Carl Murat Cantave (KID), a fierce opponent of President Privert, has been replaced.
Instead, Jacques Sauveur Jean (Haitian Tet Kale Party/PHTK), a figure considered a moderate, has been appointed.
According to Radio Metropole, unlike Cantave, Jean is more favored in parliament and thinks that negotiation is the only way to overcome the paralysis that has prevented parliament from adopting a decision on the issue of Privert.
Jean said he was in favor of parliament finding a political consensus.
He added that he was willing to dialogue to seek a solution. Holding a session in the National Assembly, he said, is a priority.
However, in the Chamber of Deputies, the atmosphere was very different as the parliamentary group Alliance for Haiti (favoring former President Michel Martelly) has strong influence.
The spokesman for this group, Gary Bodeau, said that the fate of President Privert is sealed, he was against the extension of his mandate and called on political parties and the Judiciary power to negotiate with the legislature to decide the political future of country.
Meanwhile Radio Metropole quoted parliamentarian Antoine Bien Aimé, who declared that Privert would have a majority in the National Assembly, since 49 out of the 92 MPs support an extension of his mandate.
Since yesterday demonstrations have been held by members of the Lavalas party, demanding that members of the legislature keep Privert in office, and refrain from what they call a coup attempt.
