By Arnold Pierre, Gazette Haiti, Oct. 30, 2026
Former Delmas deputy and former Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Gary Bodeau, submitted his candidacy for the presidency to the West 1 Departmental Electoral Office (BED) in Pétion-Ville on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Running under the banner of the "Rekonsilye" platform, he is advocating a political project focused on decentralization, the development of the Greater North, and ending the political transition, while also expressing reservations about the electoral calendar.
Accompanied by several political figures, including Senator René Armstrong, as well as representatives of local authorities, Gary Bodeau officially launched his campaign for the presidency of the Republic.
This initiative comes amid persistent questions surrounding the electoral calendar. The former parliamentarian expressed surprise at the new deadlines announced by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). He advocates for dialogue among political actors to reach a consensus on the next steps in the process. According to him, Haiti cannot remain indefinitely in a succession of political transitions, especially given the ongoing institutional crisis since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021.
On the institutional level, the "Rekonsilye" candidate makes decentralization one of the main pillars of his political project. He advocates for a better distribution of economic and administrative activities across the country, in order to reduce their concentration in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. In this regard, he proposes, in particular, a territorial reorganization based on the establishment of two capital cities and a redistribution of administrative and economic functions among several development hubs.
The Far North occupies a central place in this vision. Gary Bodeau particularly emphasizes the economic and tourism potential of Môle-Saint-Nicolas and Île de la Tortue. He advocates investments in infrastructure, tourism, and commercial activities, with the aim of developing regional resources, creating jobs, and boosting local economies.
When questioned about international sanctions and his relations with certain foreign partners, the former Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies favored an approach based on dialogue and cooperation. While acknowledging disagreements with some foreign powers, he welcomed their support for strengthening the Haitian National Police (PNH). He also reaffirmed his commitment to defending national sovereignty while preserving international cooperation, particularly in the areas of security, economic recovery, and the organization of credible elections.
Posted Nov. 7, 2026