Haiti: Carnival Singer Elected President, Preliminary Results Show

[Frodo]

In case anyone is interested:

Singer Elected Haiti’s President, Official Says

By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD
Published: April 4, 2011
 
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – One of Haiti’s most popular entertainers, a provocative Carnival singer previously best-known for disrobing and swearing on stage, has been elected president, a senior Haitian election official said Monday, placing him at the helm of a nation still struggling to recover from last year’s earthquake, a cholera epidemic and chronic poverty.

The singer, Michel Martelly, 50, known as “Sweet Micky” or Tet Kale (bald head), defeated Mirlande Manigat, 70, a college professor and former first lady with establishment credentials whose informal campaign slogan – “Give me my mother” – sought to contrast with Mr. Martelly’s image as the rebellious son trying to shake things up.

The final results, allowing for a period of appeals, are expected April 16. If the results hold up, Mr. Martelly will take office in May, after President René Préval, who could not seek another term under the constitution, steps down.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Yeah, that seemed likely. At least there wasn't too much frauds this time, AFAIK.

[big bad fab]

We can already foresee an utter disappointment and a big failure, as usual...
Poor country, eternally doomed.

[Hash]

Whoever won would screw up intentionally or not and certainly end up as a crook, so meh.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Not sure 'Carnival Singer' is the most respectable way to present it.

Well, the guy seems to have some good will, let's see.

Given the amounts of problems they are facing here, the only criticisms one can address to those who are in charge there is in case they create still more problems (by continuing corruption, etc). He hasn't begun anything yet, then he fully deserves his chance.

We can at least note that his election didn't create problems, and in case the elections have been relatively fair, that's anyhow Haitians' choice.

[opebo]

This thread is offensive - Haiti's ills are caused by France, America, Imperialism, and Capitalism, not the good electorate or their representatives.

[memphis]

Cuz America would never ever elect an entertainer as prez

[Associate Justice PiT]

Cuz America would never ever elect an entertainer as prez

    Of course, our entertainer also happened to be a former Governor. Skimming the article, it doesn't appear that we can say the same for Haiti's entertainer.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Cuz America would never ever elect an entertainer as prez

    Of course, our entertainer also happened to be a former Governor. Skimming the article, it doesn't appear that we can say the same for Haiti's entertainer.

So Californians elected an entertainer as Governor.

[Psychic Octopus]

Cuz America would never ever elect an entertainer as prez

    Of course, our entertainer also happened to be a former Governor. Skimming the article, it doesn't appear that we can say the same for Haiti's entertainer.

So Californians elected an entertainer as Governor.

Twice!

[Associate Justice PiT]

Cuz America would never ever elect an entertainer as prez

    Of course, our entertainer also happened to be a former Governor. Skimming the article, it doesn't appear that we can say the same for Haiti's entertainer.

So Californians elected an entertainer as Governor.

Twice!

     Four times if you consider they both won twice!

[Foucaulf]

Judge for yourself by watching his first interview:

youtube.com/watch?v=VtRm8ox5gL0

He is not a bad orator. The opposition as well as foreigners would criticize his relations with former dictator Duvalier, but there's no question that he has rode his way to victory on a passionate electorate. He already jumped a hurdle with his entry into the second-round (after fraud investigations), and to the youths of Haiti this is the best they can do. Let's not kid ourselves; very few outsiders can understand how desperate the Haitians are for reprieve. The bigger the disconnect from the post-Aristide vacuum, the better.

Haiti's chances of rebuilding, with or without government, are slim. The international community doesn't care enough anymore. All the power to Martelly if he can spread the message.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Makes sense in a way. The domestic political elite (such as it was) failed and brutalised the country, certain outside powers exploited it pretty mercilessly and the international so-called 'community' very kindly brought cholera to the place and demonstrated how not to help re-build somewhere wrecked by an earthquake. So why not vote the carnival singer?