Originally: Themes d’Emission de la Semaine
There are moments of crisis having grave consequences not only for the whole nation but also the interests of the entourage gathered around the chief of state, especially when these crises are provoked at high levels, by the chief of state himself to satisfy his personal interests and assuage his
The crisis of governance, including but not limited to the naming of a prime minister, that Haiti has been dragged through for the past few months, no doubt has grave consequences for the nation as a whole. But not only the nation. It even impacts the well-placed entourage that is gathered around the president. Even these privileged ones are not exempted when the president himself decides to provoke various crises of governance to satisfy his personal interests and power cravings.
In observing the Préval regime, especially during this period of tension, one sees even the most privileged of the entourage take alarm. As they move aggressively to defend their interests, by persuasion or provocation, one hears their cause being suddenly taken up in unexpected quarters. This often comes just when things seem to have finally calmed down. With the Préval regime you still have a lot of improvisation, spontaneity, and people who strike out on their own. They all conform to an overall, fairly predictable, model. But this model is not static. It can still accommodate unexpected events, especially the personal needs of the actors, without losing its coherence. Nothing is left completely to chance or improvisation.
Since independence, the two most important constants have been:
- The presence around the president of an oligarchy imposing its personal interests above those of the nation
- Confiscation of the state mechanism to make personal power permanent
Certainly, there are others. But what dominates the scene today is the effect produced by these members of this oligarchy when they move to protect their political and pecuniary interests. They are not monolithic. They are variegated. Except for the oligarchy, all the other actors have only reacted after the fact to the designation of the prime minister. Their will, choice or decision plays no role. They have nothing to do with the real interests which underlie the choice. Their reactions are undoubtedly spontaneous, whether out of friendship, sympathy, loyalty, or doctrinal or ideological affinity.
For their part, the members of the oligarchy are aware of the fact that Préval always has at his disposal the option to choose another candidate for the post of prime minister in case this one is blocked. If he chooses another one outside of their clan, the loss of all their privileges and political and economic prerogatives would follow. Their problem is that Préval always has the possibility to exercise this option and does not share their concerns. Their backs are against the wall, not Préval?s. His cynical attitude of “Everyone for himself!” leaves them concerned and alarmed. There will always be an oligarchy around the president, but it may not be them.
Confirmation of the prime minister by the lower chamber does not guarantee the same by the senate. Although it was the group of sixteen senators who censured Alexis and his ministers, it was not a question of competence.