French ambassador meets Fils-Aimé on the new electoral calendar

France's ambassador to Haiti, Gautier Lekens, held talks with Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, according to a post published on Instagram on Thursday, 29 October 2026, jointly by the diplomat and the Prime Minister's office. The meeting covered the new electoral calendar and the security situation.

"I met with the Prime Minister. I took note with interest of the new electoral calendar, which should bring the transition to an end, and I restated France's position as presented at our last meeting," the ambassador wrote (translated from French). The photo accompanying the message shows the two men seated in front of the Haitian flag.

Gautier Lekens continues: "We also discussed the security situation and the latest developments, recalling in particular the importance of respecting international humanitarian law and the international security architecture in Haiti, as well as a disarmament, dismantling and reintegration (DDR) programme and the strengthening of the judicial and prison systems." He concludes: "France remains at the side of the Haitian people for a return to constitutional order and security."

A calendar published the day before

The meeting came a day after the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) published an updated calendar on Wednesday, 28 October. According to Juno7 and Le Nouvelliste, the first round of the presidential and legislative elections, combined with a popular ratification vote, is now set for 18 July 2027. The second round and the local government elections are scheduled for 4 October 2027. The previous calendar had placed the first round on 13 December 2026.

According to Juno7, the CEP attributes the update to the promulgation of the electoral decree of 6 October 2026, which revises the decree of 2 June 2026.

The position Paris restated

Appointed by President Emmanuel Macron to succeed Antoine Michon, Gautier Lekens presented his credentials to the Prime Minister on Monday, 14 September 2026, at the National Palace, according to Juno7 and Le National.

At their previous meeting reported by the press, on Thursday, 8 October, the ambassador had reaffirmed, according to an embassy statement cited by Le Nouvelliste and Vant Bèf Info, France's commitment to "a credible process allowing Haitians to freely choose their leaders", with integrity requirements for candidates. He also stressed the importance of applying the United Nations and European Union sanctions regimes.

On security, the diplomat had welcomed improvements in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, while describing them as fragile and in need of consolidation through the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and the Haitian security forces.