Government

Parliament is the heart and bloodline of the Haitian government. The country's current legislature was formed in the early 2000s and is composed of two houses: the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Meetings via a National Assembly or a joint session are highly essential for both houses to deliberate on different important matters of the State, which is why a proper venue for such meetings is highly essential.

The Palais Législatif, or the current legislative building which caters to the whole parliament, was severely damaged by the 2010 earthquake, forcing members of the parliament to temporarily hold their meetings in a classroom. The legislature has since had to keep up with an old, damaged building to house itself.

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Haiti's legislative elections were to have taken place at the end of 2011, but have been stalled by the government of Haiti's (GOH) inability to decree a Permanent Electoral Council (PEC). Presently, a Temporary Electoral Council operates, but has no authority to hold elections.

At the center of the electoral crisis is a high rate of absenteeism occurring in Parliament. A quorum is necessary to carry on business, particularly appointing a PEC. Five senators are out campaigning for votes instead of doing legislative work, which includes appointing a PEC so "free, fair, and inclusive elections" can be held. Bureau Secretary Senator Steven Benoit released the senators' names to the press: Jean William Jeanty, Edwin Daniel Zenny, Wencesclass Lambert, Lucien Derex Pierre-Louis, and Maxime Roumer.

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Laurent Lamothe, Haiti's Prime Minister, has become increasingly unpopular in Parliament. On January 8th, 2013, Lamothe attempted to read the balance sheet of Haiti's budget for 2012 and present the proposed budget for 2013, before an assembly of Parliament. Among those present were all ministries of the government of Haiti, the diplomatic staff, and other government officials.

As Lamothe began his budget presentation, an outburst of hostilities erupted from a minority partisan group, Parliamentarians for Institutional Strengthening (PRI). They interfered with Lamothe's presentation, ringing bells, blowing police whistles, and heckling him. Unable to continue, he stepped away from the deafening clamor in the legislative chambers, and submitted the budgets directly to the Office of the National Assembly (ONA). He declared he was fulfilling "the requirements of the Constitution" by doing so.

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Baby Doc Jean Claude Duvalier was the son of Papa Doc Francois Duvalier, the 40th Haitian president who was a famous dictator and had once proclaimed to be the President for life. Jean Claude Duvalier took over the throne after his father's death in 1971 at the age of 19 years. He remains to be the youngest president ever to have reigned over any state or country.

After his rise to power, Baby Doc Jean Claude Duvalier initiated some changes which were drawing Haiti closer to democratic leadership. He released some of the political prisoners who had been jailed, replaced the cabinet members with younger ones and made press quite independent. However, he was no better than his father as he pinned down any opposition and appointment of major government officials were still under his control. His mother, Simone, also offered vital political support to ensure that his son remained in power. To some extent, it worked out well as Baby Doc Jean Claude Duvalier managed to survive on the throne till 1986.

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Here is the name: Haitian Bureau of Standards and of Metrology Laboratory or Bureau Haitienne de Normalisation (BHN)

Participating in trade is what makes the Haitian economy tick. Both consumer and producer should equally benefit; the first with profit and the latter with quality. To ensure that consumers get what they've paid for, it is up to the government to make sure that the quality and the safety of products traded in the market are met.

Earlier this month, the Haitian government sought the need for a means to establish product standardization in the country. Haiti's Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) under Minister Wilson Laleau and the European Union represented in the country by Ambassador and Head of Delegation Javier Nino Perez officially launched the Haitian Bureau of Standards (BHN) and of Metrology Laboratory. The primary objectives of BHN and the Metrology Laboratory is to produce and implement Haitian standards for production and trade, train staff regarding the standards, create and manage signs, labels, and certifications of product quality, represent the country in international institutions of product standardization, and organize and coordinate programs for metrology and certification.

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The Haitian government has been regarded as one of the most corrupt governments in the region by foreign observers due to the rampant malversation of funds by some government officials through the years. Despite the recent improvements in governance under democracy, there remains corrupted political figure in control, leaving their people in starvation while they spoil themselves in their people's hard-earned money.

In line with Haiti's problem on corruption and poor governance, the Haitian government with the much-appreciated participation of U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Pamela White inaugurated the headquarters of the Superior Judicial Council (CSPJ) on the road of Freres earlier this month. The CSPJ was formed back in July 2012 to make a change in the country's judicial system.

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Former head of presidential security, Mr. Carel Alexander will now serve as the director-general of Haiti's Ministry of Defense. During a ceremony on Tuesday, Defense Minister Jean Rodolphe Joazile announced Alexander's appointment. As the new director-general, Alexander will coordinate, monitor, and liaise all the ministry's technical and external services. He will closely work with Joazile.

In his speech, Carel Alexander, a former commander of the Corps of Intervention and Maintenance of Order and former head of presidential security, expressed appreciation over the appointment. He said that being named as the new Defense Ministry director-general is a chance for him to serve the country once again. He vowed to commit himself to the efforts of the Defense Ministry to protect the country and ensure peace and order. He promised to utilize his skills, knowledge, and capabilities to support the ministry's initiatives and to carry out the tasks given to him.

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Muscadin Jean Yves Jason, former mayor of Haiti capital of Port-au-Prince, fell in hot water as the authorities investigate the recent devastating fire in the public market. Jason received a subpoena to appear in court amid the investigation. His lawyer, Andre Michel, confirmed the reports but said that the former mayor would not heed the summons due to several confusions in the subpoena. Michel expressed ire over the court invitation, saying that it was a form of "political persecution" orchestrated by the authorities who want his client to be the suspect in the fire. He laid down the reasons why he did not advise his client to appear in court despite the subpoena.

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Prime Minister of Haiti Laurent Lamothe has set his sights on corruption, fraud, and smuggling in the country. He announced his determination and commitment to battling these crimes at a meeting with representatives of the Economic of Private Sector of Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The attendees of the meeting discussed measures aimed at fighting corruption in the government and other sectors, as well as tax fraud and smuggling incidents occurring along the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Lamothe called for a public-private partnership among the business people in order to crackdown on Corruption, Tax Fraud and Smuggling. The Haitian Prime Minister said the partnership can create a new policy aimed at making a much-needed change. Laurent Lamothe believes that putting an end to such crimes can lead to higher government revenues. And higher revenues mean better resources for the government to use in development efforts.

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We have three members; we have now nine members. Wait a minute, we are back to three members. Should we create a Permanent, Temporary or a "Conjunctural" Electoral Council?

Members of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) decided on Friday to resume the process of appointing their 3 members of the Judiciary, to serve on the Permanent Electoral Council (CEP). This is following the controvercy on the way in which they nominated their previous members. Many members of the Haitian society, including political parties, members of the legislative branch, and others strongly condemned the process. Some even asked for the resignation of the president of the CSPJ, , whom they feel was appointed illegally into his position.

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