No successor to presidency plunges Haiti into political uncertainty

Haitian President Michel Martelly Sunday concluded his tenure with no immediate successor in sight, thrusting the country into political uncertainty.

However, a political pact reached on the eve of his exit has served to mitigate, at least for now, the adverse impact of a power vacuum.

The agreement signed Saturday at the National Palace between Martelly and the presidents of both houses of the parliament, Senator Jocelerme Privert and Deputy Cholzer Chancy, aimed to ensure "institutional continuity ... in the absence of an elected president," daily newspaper Haiti Libre reported.

The agreement also called for the continuation of the electoral process that began in 2015 but was postponed by the electoral institution.

The pact was welcomed by the office of the United Nations Secretary General, which said the agreement was "a crucial step in the search for a solution to the political challenges facing Haiti."

The agreement is expected to bring stability and push for the implementation of the whole of the country's electoral procedure, including partial legislative and local elections.

The impoverished Caribbean country has been affected by political unrest since a presidential runoff was postponed just two days before the scheduled date of Jan. 24 by the Provisional Electoral Council with at least two attacks at the polling stations.

Tensions were running high before election day, as the opposition camp accused the ruling party of manipulating the vote after the latter's candidate came out ahead in the first round, although polls showed the opponent had the lead. Endi