Jack Guy Lafontant | |
Office: | 20th Prime Minister of Haiti |
President: | Jovenel Moïse |
Term Start: | 21 March 2017 |
Term End: | 17 September 2018 |
Predecessor: | Enex Jean-Charles |
Successor: | Jean-Henry Céant |
Birth Date: | 4 April 1961 |
Birth Place: | Port-au-Prince, Haiti |
Party: | Democratic Movement of Haiti – Democratic Rally of Haiti |
Alma Mater: | State University of Haiti |
Jack Guy Lafontant (born 4 April 1961) is a Haitian politician who served as Prime Minister of Haiti from 21 March 2017 until 16 September 2018.[1] [2]
Lafontant studied medicine, specializing in gastroenterology and internal medicine and became a university instructor. He became a member of the Haitian Medical Association and the American College of Gastroenterology.[3]
Lafontant is a member of the Rotary Club of Pétion-Ville, Port-au-Prince, and served as the group's president in 2016.[4]
He was appointed as prime minister on 22 February 2017[3] and presented his cabinet on 13 March 2017.[5] His government obtained a vote of confidence from the Senate on 16 March and from the Chamber of Deputies on 21 March, with 95 votes for and 6 against with 2 abstentions.[6] He assumed his responsibilities the same day his government won the vote of confidence.[7] His position as prime minister was his debut in politics.[8]
Following deadly mass protests against a government plan to raise fuel prices, Lafontant announced on 14 July 2018 that he had submitted his resignation to President Moïse, who accepted it.[9] Moise confirmed that he had accepted Lafontant's resignation and stated that he would work to find a new Prime Minister.[10] He actually serves as caretaker.