US embassy cable - 05PORTAUPRINCE2609

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT AU PRINCE 002609 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, HA, Elections 
SUBJECT: OPL'S PAUL DENIS UNSYMPATHETIC TO SIMEUS CANDIDACY 
 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Timothy M. Carney for reasons 1.4 (B) 
and (D) 
 
1. (C)   On October 19, Charge called on Presidential 
Candidate Paul Denis, former Lavalas leader and current head 
of OPL (Struggling People's Organization) to discuss 
electoral strategy and the current political climate.  Denis 
stated that he views the Commission on Nationality as a good 
thing, saying, "the Constitution must be respected."  As for 
the IGOH's seemingly singleminded focus on Dumas Simeus, 
Denis said that he understands the CEP has a copy of his US 
passport and that he ought not be allowed to run under the 
Constitution. 
 
2. (SBU)   OPL will present 84 candidates for the House of 
Deputies and 22 candidates for the Senate.  While some around 
him believe that OPL will win a simple majority, Denis said 
he is hopeful for a plurality of legislative seats. 
 
3. (C)   He stated that his primary concern with respect to 
the elections is financing, noting that his candidates were 
discouraged to see other candidates spending money he thought 
might be ill-gotten.  Denis said that OPL, whose headquarters 
sits directly beside that of Serge Gilles' Fusion party, 
could seek political alliance with Fusion or the Komba party 
of Chavannes Jean Baptiste, but only in the runoff elections. 
 In the first round, he said, it would be every man for 
himself.  Denis acknowledged that no one is likely to win a 
simple majority in the legislature and that coalition 
building would be an essential step in order to prevent the 
new President from installing yet another powerless Prime 
Minister. 
CARNEY