[EVENT] The 1974 Snap Election

Port-au-Prince: August 22, 1974

In his first two years as Prime Minister, Luckner Cambronne had rapidly and forcefully made his mark. The former Interior Minister under Papa Doc became Prime Minister with most not expecting much. But he has vigorously acted in the two years since the Emperor appointed him. From restructuring the Government with the establishment of an independent civil service, and a national security council under his leadership, to the legalization of casino gambling, health initiatives, and above all else a more vigorous foreign policy. Haiti had long faded into the background in international affairs, however, under Cambronne Haiti had gone out into the world. At the Prime Minister’s request, the Haitian delegation to the United Nations had become a more outspoken presence in the chamber, including passing multiple resolutions targeting the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Despite all this, under the 1972 Constitution, the Prime Minister had one more year left, as Chamber of Deputies terms were set at three years, meaning summer 1975 was the latest he could wait. Instead, the Prime Minister shocked many, by meeting the Emperor and calling snap elections for the Chamber.

The Prime Minister gave a simple reason for the call, that international uncertainty in the Middle East, Asia, and elsewhere required the Government to have a stronger Parliamentary mandate. But many could also sense opportunism, that the Prime Minister who was so driven wanted more than just 46 out of 80 seats. Such opportunism was not new to Haitians, but the manner in which it was expressed was. In the 170 years since Haiti gained its independence, many opportunistic leaders had taken steps to expand their power, but often by force. Coups, civil wars, and subversion of power had often been the vehicle by which Haitian leaders with ambition furthered their power. But for Luckner Cambronne, his avenue for expansion was within the confines of the Constitution. Dissolving Parliament and scheduling snap elections was legal and had a set process within the Constitution. Moreover, it was something with precedent in other Democracies, Britain, Canada, France, Italy, and others have had Prime Minister who when sensing a chance to capitalize on popularity opted to go to the electorate early, and Cambronne was taking after them.

This was unsurprising to those who knew the Prime Minister and his thinking. His entire first term was dedicated to the idea of stabilizing Haiti through the creation of stronger institutions more in line with the western world. The civil service was a major part of that, but so too was setting the precedent that the Prime Minister would at all times abide as closely to the constitutional order as possible. Where many past leaders had gone out of legal bounds, Cambronne worked well within it, which was easier as he had a large hand in writing the constitution and defining the character of the office of Prime Minister. The thought was simple, if Haiti could show that it could be governed normally, lawfully and peacefully, thereby resolving one major long-term issue the nation faced, the others would too be resolved. Especially economic issues, and instability had long scared off investment, the Prime Minister reasoned that if Haiti stabilized and showed it was capable of what the British termed “peace, order, and good government” the money would soon flow.

The dissolution order meanwhile took the other parties by significant surprise. Leader of The Opposition and Chairman of The Democratic Party Aurele Joseph was particularly shocked. Over two years the Prime Minister and the Leader of The Opposition despite testy exchanges in Parliament forged a cordial relationship. Both men had no personal animosity, and both had wanted to set a precedent that the leaders of the Government and opposition could work together. Cambronne facilitated this by sharing information with Joseph, briefing the Opposition front bench on national security issues, and facilitating resources for the opposition to put together effective operations. That is why when Joseph first heard of the dissolution on the radio with the rest of the nation he was outraged. But the Prime Minister’s explanation was simple, the Leader of The Opposition would likely try to impede or delay an election call until it was politically advantageous, and as such the decision should as constitutionally prescribed rest solely with the Emperor and his first minister.

The campaign began with each party releasing a manifesto document, the National Unity Party under Cambronne entitled theirs “Continuing on the road to prosperity” which laid out a continuation of the PMs plans of strengthening institutions in Haiti, as well as vigorous program for investment. The Democratic manifesto entitled “We can do more!” called for the expansion of civil liberties, further constitutional reforms and economic development. this manifesto was created in concert with the PM who encouraged the Democrats to take on these policies to create daylight between the two main parties, for him this was key to the political development of Haiti. The two parties he reasoned needed to be different, they needed different priorities.

The campaign was short and peaceful, no violence was seen and campaign events while at times becoming intense featured debate and reasoned dialogue. Finally through polling day came. As in 1972 the PM using the Tonton Macoutes endevoured to “guide” the result. But not in a way one would expect, the PM did not want the world to see his party win all 80 seats, he wanted a result which would strengthen both himself and the opposition, because this too he reasoned was essential in establishing those key institutions in Haiti

1974 Haitian General Election Results

The result was a small but still significant gain for the Government, with the PUN modestly expanding their majority and winning a second term. Crucially however, the Democratic Party also gained, thereby cementing their status as the proverbial second party in the emerging two-party system of Haiti. On August 23rd, the Emperor met Cambronne at the Imperial Palace and asked him to remain as Prime Minister, Cambronne accepted. On The 26th the Emperor opened the new parliament with a speech from the Senate President’s chair, outlining the Government’s priorities. Luckner Cambronne’s second term had begun, and the pace and goals would be even more striking than in the first…