Every other guide in this series describes an office you can vote for. This one is different — deliberately. The prime minister is the head of government: the person who directs the government's day-to-day work. But the prime minister does not appear on any ballot. Understanding why Haiti's system works this way is an important part of understanding what your vote actually does.
In short
Haiti's executive power has two heads by design (art. 133): the president, head of state, elected by the people, and the government, headed by the prime minister, head of government. The prime minister is not elected directly. The president chooses the prime minister from among the members of the party holding the majority in Parliament. If no such majority exists, the president chooses after consulting the presidents of both chambers. In either case, Parliament must ratify the choice (art. 137). The government is then accountable to Parliament and can be forced to resign following a vote of censure (art. 129-4).
What the prime minister actually does
- Heads the government — the prime minister leads the government, which is composed of the prime minister, ministers and secretaries of state (art. 155).
- Conducts the policy of the nation (art. 156) — directing government policy, ministries, programs and the administration of the state.
- Enforces the laws (art. 159) and exercises regulatory power, but cannot suspend, reinterpret or refuse to execute laws, acts or decrees.
- Chooses the ministers in agreement with the president and is responsible for the government as a whole (art. 158).
- Can preside over the Council of Ministers when the president is temporarily absent or unable to act, or when the president asks the prime minister to do so (art. 159).
How a prime minister is appointed
- The president chooses a candidate. The choice must come from among the members of the party holding the majority in Parliament. If there is no parliamentary majority, the president consults the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies (art. 137).
- Parliament ratifies the choice. The president's choice must be ratified by Parliament (art. 137).
- The nominee must meet the constitutional requirements. Among other conditions, the person must be Haitian by origin and must not have renounced Haitian nationality, be at least 30 years old, enjoy civil and political rights, and have resided in Haiti for five consecutive years (art. 157).
- The government presents its program. The prime minister, in agreement with the president, chooses the members of the cabinet and presents a declaration of general policy to Parliament. The declaration must receive a vote of confidence by an absolute majority in each chamber (art. 158).
How a government can be removed
The government is responsible before Parliament (art. 156). Members of either chamber may question or interpellate the government. If an interpellation concerning the government's program or general policy leads to a vote of censure, the prime minister must submit the government's resignation to the president (art. 129-4).
The prime minister can also face proceedings before the High Court of Justice. The Chamber of Deputies may bring an accusation against the prime minister, ministers or secretaries of state by a two-thirds vote of its members for offenses committed in the exercise of their functions (art. 186).
If the prime minister resigns, the government remains in place to handle current affairs until a successor is appointed (art. 165). The Constitution therefore provides a way for the state to continue functioning during a transition between governments.
Why the Constitution divides executive power
The 1987 Constitution deliberately divides executive power between two institutions. The president is the head of state; the prime minister heads the government. The president is elected directly by citizens, while the government must maintain the confidence of a Parliament elected by citizens.
This arrangement means that governing requires cooperation between the presidency and Parliament. A president cannot simply choose anyone to be prime minister: the Constitution sets rules for the choice, and Parliament must ratify it. The system is designed to distribute executive power rather than place it entirely in the hands of one elected official.
What this means for your vote
You never vote directly for the prime minister. But your presidential and legislative votes help determine the political conditions under which a government is formed.
The president you elect makes the choice provided for by Article 137. The deputies and senators you elect form the Parliament that must ratify that choice and can hold the government accountable. In other words, your presidential vote and your legislative votes are connected: together, they help shape who can form and sustain the government.