of the parliamentary session) that he intended to bypass Parliament and form a government by decree. Opposition parties accused Préval of having staged a bloodless coup and considered Alexis an illegitimate prime minister. Alexis served as Prime Minister from 26 March 1999 to 7 February 2001. Second term Préval was re-elected in February 2006, and he again nominated Alexis as Prime Minister on 17 May 2006, three days after taking office as President. The nomination was ratified almost unanimously by both houses of parliament, and Alexis and his government were sworn in on 9 June 2006. His second government consisted of a coalition of six parties, including Préval's Lespwa party, the Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats, the Struggling People's Organization, and Jean-Bertrand Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas party. His stated policy objectives included the restoration of security in the country and the provision of basic services to citizens. Resignation Criticism of Alexis's economic policies led to a no-confidence vote in February 2008, which Alexis survived. Riots broke out in early April 2008 regarding high food prices, and Alexis announced an investment program designed to lower the cost of living. On 10 April, it was announced that 16 Senators (a majority, as there are 30 seats in Haiti's Senate) had signed a letter advising Alexis to resign within two days. The letter described Alexis's proposals to resolve the economic crisis as "too little, too late" and said that "it is obvious that the majority of the people don't believe any more in the capacity of your government to take courageous measures to ease the misery that the population is facing daily." The Senate then voted unanimously to dismiss Alexis on 12 April, with all of the 16 Senators present in favor. Préval said that he would consult with Parliament to choose a new Prime Minister, but he also said that Alexis had done his best and should not receive all the blame for the situation. Personal life Alexis is married and has five children. References Prime Ministers of Haiti 1947 births Living people Candidates for President of Haiti People from Gonaïves 21st-century Haitian politicians Christophe family Université Laval alumni State University of Haiti alumni Culture ministers of Haiti Education ministers of Haiti Haitian Interior Ministers Sports ministers of Haiti Haitian people of Grenadian descent