Mr Jean Michel Lapin•©️CMC
Port-au-Prince, July 21, 2025.- Guest on radio Magik9 on Monday 21 July, former Prime Minister Jean Michel Lapin proposed a targeted constitutional amendment instead of a total change in the Constitution. He stressed the need to rebalance relations between the three powers of the State, while calling for a national consensus to carry out this reform, despite the current prohibitions in the Mother Law.
In a rare public address, Jean Michel Lapin, former head of government, pronounced this July 21 on the need to retouch the Haitian Constitution, but without tossing it out. Contrary to the proposals for total recasting, he suggested a targeted amendment based on the shortcomings observed in the current system.
Among the changes that he considers to be a priority is the clarification of the relationship between the executive, legislative and judicial branches. According to him, the current configuration feeds a « parliamentary dictatorship » and fuels disorder in public management.
« We must avoid the mistakes of the past. The current Constitution prohibits amendments, but this prohibition itself deserves review. », he said, stressing that this constitutional lock blocks urgent reforms.
The former Prime Minister calls for a broad consensus among political and social actors to ensure an inclusive approach, and avoid the frustrations and exclusions that he believes have undermined previous attempts to reform.
Jean Michel Lapin concludes that the amendment is a more realistic way out of the cycle of institutional instability, without causing a sudden break with the constitutional order in place.
W.A.
