Haiti – When does a premier-presidential regime become president-parliamentary?

In recent posts, I have been describing how Haiti’s premier-presidential presidents have a habit of acting like president-parliamentary leaders. Here is another example.

Radio Kiskeya is reporting, supposedly authoritatively, that the PM-designate, Gary Conille, considered withdrawing his nomination because President Martelly’s advisers wanted him to sign an undated letter of resignation.

Here is the rub. Haiti has a premier-presidential system. The president cannot dismiss the PM. However, by requesting an undated letter of resignation, the president’s advisers effectively wanted to change the regime to a president-parliamentary system, where the president can dismiss the PM.

There were rumours that in France in the 1970s President Giscard d’Estaing insisted on an equivalent letter, though in the end it was never used even if it existed.

Apparently, M. Conille has stood firm and refused the request. His nomination has yet to be debated by the legislature.

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