PRIME MINISTER SURVIVES VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 000344 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR S/CRS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ECON HA SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER SURVIVES VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE REF: A. PORT AU PRINCE 161 ¶B. PORT AU PRINCE 320 ¶C. PORT AU PRINCE 335 PORT AU PR 00000344 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified -- please protect accordingly. ¶2. (U) The Chamber of Deputies voted on February 28 to keep Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis in office. Of the 84 Deputies present, 63 voted "confidence," 8 "no-confidence" and 13 abstained. Fifteen Deputies were absent. The vote of "confidence," following eight hours of questions from the Deputies and responses from the PM and his ministers, precludes the Chamber of Deputies from subjecting the PM to interpellation again for a full year. Despite the notional idea that the interpellation was to focus on the high cost of living and the weak state of the Haitian economy, the Deputies' questions ran the gamut. They questioned the PM on the status of delayed senatorial and indirect elections, justice reform, police reform, a new armed force to step up in MINUSTAH's place (ref A),and the public rift between the Director General of the Haitian National Police and the Chief Prosecutor. ¶3. (U) Alexis, who appeared relaxed and even amused at times, responded at length to the Deputies' questions. Addressing the high cost of living, he pointed first to external factors such as world market prices, high transportation costs and customs fees that contribute to Haiti's woes. He then explained that Haitians' buying power is very weak, mainly due to unemployment. When questioned about his failed social appeasement program (PAS),Alexis claimed the GoH had difficulty finding the means to implement the plan. Alexis repeatedly emphasized his belief that his government was "on the right track," but that they were far from satisfied with the status quo. He also emphasized his dedication to education and other programs focusing on youth. (Note: Alexis was Minister of Education during part of Preval's first term. End note.) ¶4. (U) Alexis spoke with the Ambassador on February 29 and expressed his delight at the vote of confidence. He acknowledged that despite the political vindication from the Deputies, his government still has a lot of work to do and will focus on remedying the current economic hardship. Alexis also admitted that the current political climate presented a good opportunity for a Cabinet reshuffle, but said he would keep his "economic team" (undefined) in place. Ambassador congratulated Alexis on his response to Parliament on GoH political and economic progress over the past two years. They both agreed the GoH has to improve communication of GoH progress with Parliament and the public. Ambassador informed Alexis that the USG was ready to assist the GoH as it works to improve economic conditions. ¶5. (U) Parliament also feels despite a vote of confidence for Alexis, a Cabinet reshuffle is warranted. Deputies from the "Coalition of Progressive Parliamentarians," a minority bloc in Parliament, told Poloff February 28 that they would vote to keep the PM but would continue to push for changes to the cabinet, including potentially Minister of Environment Jean-Marie Claude Germain, Minister of Finance Daniel Dorsainvil, Minister of Commerce and Industry Maguy Durce, Minister of Public Works Frantz Verella, and Minister of Social Affairs Gerald Germain. In addition, Union party leader Chavannes Jeune told Poloff the morning of the interpellation that Preval was already meeting with political party leaders to discuss changes to the Cabinet; unconfirmed rumors are circulating that the GoH Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean Renald Clerisme has called for the return of high-ranking Haitian diplomats in Europe for a possible Cabinet reshuffle. ¶6. (SBU) Comment: Initial public reaction is that the Deputies' interpellation initiative was irrational given that the vote indicates PM Alexis' government has the support of the Chamber of Deputies. The only eight Deputies to vote "no confidence" were the original signatories to the letter of interpellation (ref B). With 63 Deputies voting in his PORT AU PR 00000344 002.2 OF 002 favor, PM Alexis left Parliament politically strengthened and with some public recognition that his government had made progress in the past two years. Per the constitution, his government cannot be convoked for another year. However, the interpellation and the public reaction to it (ref C) did demonstrate clear public discontent with the Alexis government. We expect discussions of Cabinet changes to continue. SANDERSON