Michèle Pierre-Louis

Prime Minister of Haiti
In office 5 September 2008 – 11 November 2009

President René Préval

Preceded by Jacques-Édouard Alexis

Succeeded by Jean-Max Bellerive

Born 5 October 1947 (age 62)

Political party Independent

Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis (born 5 October 1947)[1][2] is a Haitian political figure who was Prime Minister of Haiti from September 2008 to November 2009. She is Haiti’s second female Prime Minister,[3] after Claudette Werleigh, who served from 1995 to 1996.
Pierre-Louis has been the Executive Director of the Knowledge and Freedom Foundation (FOKAL),[4] a non-governmental organization financed by George Soros, since 1995. In June 2008 she was nominated as Prime Minister by President René Préval,[2] after Préval’s two previous nominees were rejected by the Chamber of Deputies. Her nomination was approved by the Chamber of Deputies on 17 July 2008, with 61 votes in favor, one opposed, and 20 abstentions.[4][5] It was approved by the Senate on 31 July, with 12 votes in favor, 5 abstentions and none opposed. Her political programme and government still had to be approved by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.[3][6]
Préval announced the composition of the new government on 25 August; aside from Pierre-Louis herself, there were 17 ministers, seven of whom were retained from the previous government of Jacques-Édouard Alexis. Pierre-Louis was appointed as Minister of Justice and Public Security, in addition to serving as Prime Minister. The government was to have been installed on 26 August, but this was delayed due to the impact of Hurricane Gustav.[7]
Pierre-Louis’ political programme and government were approved by the Chamber of Deputies and subsequently by the Senate on 5 September 2008, following extended negotiations. 16 votes were needed in the Senate; she received only 15 in the first vote, but in a second vote held shortly afterward she gained the necessary additional vote. There were no opposing votes, but one senator abstained. This vote occurred as Haiti was ravaged by the effects of Hurricane Hanna and Hurricane Ike, presenting a daunting challenge to Pierre-Louis and her government.

References

1. ^ Haiti Analysis
2. ^ a b “Haitian president Preval names a new prime minister”, AFP, 23 June 2008.
3. ^ a b “Haiti lawmakers ratify 2nd female prime minister”, Associated Press, 31 July 2008.
4. ^ a b “Haitian deputies approve Pierre-Louis for prime minister”, AFP, July 17, 2008.
5. ^ “Haitian lower house approves PM nominee”, Xinhua (People’s Daily Online), 18 July 2008.
6. ^ “Pierre-Louis in Haiti als Ministerpräsidentin bestätigt”, NZZ Online, 1 August 2008 (German).
7. ^ Jacqueline Charles, “Hurricane Gustav postpones installation of Haiti government”, Miami Herald, 26 August 2008.
8. ^ Jacqueline Charles, “Haiti OK’s new prime minister, government”, Miami Herald, 5 September 2008.

External links

• “The Elites Are Like a Huge Elephant Sitting on Haiti” Michael Deibert interviews Haitian Prime Minister Michèle Pierre-Louis