Wyclef Jean's failed presidential bid: The fallout
Haitian officials say the hip-hop star is ineligible to run for president. Is this a victory or a defeat for democracy?
Haiti's election board has ruled that hip-hop star Wyclef Jean is ineligible to run for president in his earthquake-ravaged homeland, a decision some worried could spark protests from his mostly young supporters. Jean had said late Friday that, with a "heavy heart," he would respect the the board's ruling, and he urged his supporters to do the same. But on Sunday he said via Twitter that he would appeal — although election commission's spokesman said decisions on eligibility are final. Will the dispute over Jean's candidacy disrupt the campaign? (Watch an AP report about the ruling)
No, this is actually a good sign: "Score one for the rule of law in Haiti," say the editors of The Economist. Haitian election rules state plainly that all presidential candidates must have lived in the country for the last five years, and Wyclef Jean has lived in the U.S. so long he speaks his native Creole with a heavy accent. Disqualifying him is a meaningful step toward addressing Haiti's history of "messy elections."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Disqualifying Jean makes the election seem less legitimate: Wyclef Jean is a source of great pride for his countrymen, says Patricia Williams in Britain's Guardian, so he may have been just the candidate the Haitian people needed to begin healing after the earthquake. Haiti is full of outsiders — humanitarian organizations, foreign corporations, missionaries — trying to help. But Jean is a native son who held out the promise of "mending [Haiti's] national identity."
"It's no wonder the Haitians wanted Wyclef Jean"
Jean's supporters will get over their disappointment: Wyclef Jean's candidacy stoked "enthusiasm among the country's restless, widely unemployed youth," says Joseph Guyler Delva at Reuters. But unlike the last candidate to electrify the masses — exiled former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide — there's just no evidence that a millionaire showman from Brooklyn can "fully capture the support" of Haiti's overwhelmingly poor masses.
"Analysis: No major Haiti risk seen from Wyclef election bar"
The decision's made — now on to the task ahead: "I know Wyclef Jean," says Haitian-American novelist Edwige Danticat in The Miami Herald, and, although "I cannot vouch for him" as a political leader, "I must admit that I initially found his candidacy exciting." But now that the electoral council has spoken, everybody, Jean and his supporters included, must "remain calm" and "return to the less exciting and more somber business at hand." Rebuilding Haiti is a "Sisyphean task," and the next president will need all the help he or she can get.
"Barred from ballot, Wyclef remains an inspiration"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Red Speedo: a 'darkly comic' doping drama
The Week Recommends Lucas Hnath's play stars Finn Cole as a 'reptilian' swimmer determined to win at all costs
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
One Aldwych: where London's creative spirit takes centre stage
The Week Recommends This five-star Covent Garden hotel is the epitome of elegant independence
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Charlotte Dujardin and equestrianism's dark side
In the Spotlight Olympic gold medallist and dressage star's suspension over horse whipping brings abuse in horse sports back into the spotlight
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published