Haiti, Power Struggle Intensifies Over Acting Presidency Following Presidential Assassination

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[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] In Haiti, where political instability has deepened following the presidential assassination, a power struggle over the position of acting president is intensifying. The power struggle between Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph, who currently controls the cabinet claiming responsibility for national affairs, and Ariel Henry, the nominee who was appointed prime minister just before President Jovenel Mo?se's assassination, has escalated. However, there is no legal basis to determine who is the legitimate acting president, raising concerns that anarchy could continue.

According to foreign media including CNN on the 10th (local time), Dr. Ariel Henry, a physician who was nominated as the next prime minister just before President Mo?se was assassinated, has claimed the highest authority. In an interview with major foreign media, he stated, "I, not Interim Prime Minister Joseph, should lead Haiti now, and I am forming a new cabinet accordingly," which has sparked controversy. He emphasized, "The new cabinet will also reorganize the election commission and reschedule the election date." This is interpreted as an intention to change the Haitian presidential election date originally set for September 26.

Following Henry’s moves, Interim Prime Minister Joseph’s side, which has been responsible for national affairs since President Jovenel Mo?se was assassinated on the 7th, strongly opposed. Joseph was appointed interim prime minister in April after serving as foreign minister, with his original term set to end on the 8th. After that, Henry was decided to become the new prime minister, which has fueled the controversy.

Currently, the Haitian cabinet is under the control of Interim Prime Minister Joseph. In a special issue of the official gazette on the 7th, it was stated that the prime minister and cabinet would govern until a new president is elected. Matthias Pierre, the Minister of Elections, also said that Joseph would continue his role until the presidential and parliamentary elections on September 26. In fact, Joseph has led the government’s response since the assassination, including declaring a 15-day state of emergency.

However, the legal basis remains unclear, and controversy is expected to continue. Haiti’s 1987 constitution stipulates that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court succeeds the president in case of vacancy, while the 2012 revised constitution allows the parliament to elect an interim president by vote. However, there is currently no legitimate acting president under either constitution. Supreme Court Chief Justice Ren? Sylvestre passed away last month due to COVID-19, and due to political turmoil, parliamentary elections have not been held on time, with more than two-thirds of the members’ terms expired, making it impossible to elect an interim president before the general election scheduled for September.

Meanwhile, confusion has deepened as the Haitian Senate announced on the 9th that Senate President Joseph Lambert was nominated as acting president to replace President Mo?se. However, Lambert’s position is also controversial because the lower house has been dissolved due to the expiration of its members’ terms, and only 10 out of 30 senators remain, making it impossible to elect an interim president.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.