Haiti’s PM resigns

Bellerive submitted his resignation to now former president René Préval, ahead of his cousin, Michel Martelly, being sworn in as new president.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Monday May 16, 2011 – Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive has stepped down from his position but will stay on the job until a successor is ready to take his place.

Bellerive submitted his resignation to now former president René Préval, ahead of his cousin, Michel Martelly, being sworn in as new president. 

“I feel it was normal that I gave to President Préval my resignation because he appointed me and so the new president Martelly can discuss with the new parliament a new profile. I wanted to let President Martelly be at ease to appoint, and to meet with the senators and the deputies,’’ Bellerive told The Miami Herald.

President Martelly, who was inaugurated on Saturday, wants long-time friend and businessman Daniel-Gerard Rouzier as the new head of government.

Rouzier, who owns a car dealership and heads an electric power project, has no political experience but, according to the newspaper, he was Martelly’s choice because of his record as an established entrepreneur.

"He's a very successful guy. His resume speaks for itself," Martelly’s chief-of-staff Thierry Mayard-Paul said yesterday. "We believe that he can be very effective at managing the government."

In order to take up the post of prime minister, Rouzier would have to be confirmed by parliament where Martelly’s party only has three deputies and no senators.

As the new president prepares for that hurdle, Mayard-Paul said a little resistance is expected but Martelly believes he can demonstrate to parliament that Rouzier is the right choice.

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