Haiti's Senate blocks Martelly's prime minister nominee again

Haiti’s Senate has blocked the president’s nomination for prime minister for the second time since May’s election, leaving the country still in the hands of the outgoing government.

AFP/Thony Belizaire

Sixteen out of 30 senators voted against former justice minister Bernard Gousse on Tuesday. After a stormy debate the others refused to take part in the vote.

That means that President Michel Martelly must find yet another candidate for the premier’s job after two of his nominations have been turned down.

Earlier on Tuesday 58 mambers of the lower house formed a majority group and backed Gousse’s appointment. But the constitution says that if either house rejects the president’s nomination he must make a new nomination.

Since Martelly has failed to form a government since his investiture on 14 May, the outgoing government is still running the country.