Haitian economist nominated as PM under interim government

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti _ Economist Fritz Jean, the former governor of Haiti’s central bank, has been nominated to be the country’s new prime minister in an interim government.

Jean was chosen by Haiti’s provisional President Jocelerme Privert late Thursday from a field of six candidates.

Jean now faces scrutiny from Haiti’s Senate and Chamber of Deputies as they prepare to vote on his nomination in upcoming days. If approved, Jean would take over a position held by Evans Paul.

Jean told a local radio station that a big debate is the only way to save Haiti and that they need to find a consensus to move the country forward.

“We have to identify the different values of this country and bring them together to create the energy needed to face our problems,” he said.

The interim government is expected to last 120 days as it prepares to hold a postponed runoff election on April 24. A newly elected president is scheduled to be installed on May 14.

The Associated Press