Fresh protests in Haiti as country struggles to agree on president's successor

Demonstrators took to the streets of Port-au-Prince on Thursday protesting over a last minute deal that gave power to the parliament to elect an interim president.

The protesters accused the government of leaving them out and demanded their votes be heard.

“This agreement is not representative of the demands. They’re dividing up power like a cake all while leaving all the social projects that were mentioned in the original declarations behind,” student demonstrator Amos Toussaint said.

The country now lacks a president after the former leader Michel Martelly left office on Sunday after a botched presidential run off cancelled due to protests.

It was decided that the Prime Minister Evans Paul would stay in office until parliament choose its interim president.

A group of eight opposition leaders rejected the weekend agreement, saying parliament was elected in the same tainted election and should not choose an interim administration.

A former member of the parliament and a critic of Martelly’s government, Arnel Belizaire, said the idea of closing down parliament should not be ruled out if elected officials fail to head the calls of the people.

“Arnel Belizaire doesn’t have a problem with parliament. I don’t have a problem with anyone. But there comes a time to leave your own interests behind and defend the people. This is the message. Certain people say I am committed to burning down the parliament. I can’t burn down my house. But if it is necessary to shut it down so that the demands of the people are respected, yes, it’s a possibility,” Belizaire said.

Meanwhile, the opposition have vowed to continue with protests on Friday in a bid to push for their demands.

“The democratic battle must continue until the end. We are sending a clear message to the international community. Those of the Mafioso status quo aren’t going to take away our right to vote,” an unidentified demonstrator said.

The agreement calls on parliament to select a president within a few days, says elections should be organised on April 24 and an elected president in place by May.