Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Port au Prince (Agenzia Fides) - Parliament in Haiti has been dissolved after the failure of last-ditch negotiations over a new electoral law, according to a twitter sent to Fides. President Michel Martelly now effectively rules the country by decree but his term of office runs out next year. Haitian opposition groups say they will continue months of street protests to try to force his resignation. The political deadlock is centred on a dispute over a new electoral law, which opposition lawmakers have refused to approve.
On Sunday, January 11 (see Fides 12/01/2015), President Martelly said he had reached a last-minute deal with the opposition to hold the elections.
The President has been unable to organize elections for the Parliament and for the appointment of local Governors for more than three years and the country is going through a serious political and social crisis. Protesters have radicalized the protests against Martelly and his family and have accused him of corruption and abuse of power. The situation of institutional vacuum could further aggravate the situation. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 14/01/2015)
