Haitian president faces new government setback

Mon May 12, 2008 11:15pm EDT

By Joseph Guyler Delva

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haitian lawmakers rejected President Rene Preval's candidate for prime minister on Monday, undercutting his efforts to establish a stable democracy in the deeply impoverished Caribbean country ...

Ericq Pierre's nomination failed by a vote of 51-35, with nine members abstaining in the vote in the lower house of parliament, the Chamber of Deputies ...

The rejection, on grounds that Pierre had failed to provide proof required under the constitution that he was descended from native-born Haitians, will force Preval to select another nominee in a process that could drag out for days or weeks ...

There was speculation Pierre's rejection was organized by Alexis supporters seeking revenge for his dismissal. It also seemed aimed at Preval himself, who took office two years ago this week and has been widely criticized for moving too slowly to address the overwhelming needs of a country where most people live on less than $2 per day ...

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN0948143920080513