Popular Haitian musician Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly will be the next president of Haiti, after winning a run-off election against Haiti’s former first lady, Mirlande Manigat. Martelly, who has never held political office, received almost 68 percent of the vote in the race, the Associated Press reported.
The singer inherits the enormous task of helping an impoverished country where the government has not provided basic services. Part of Martelly’s platform includes free education for children creating economic growth and opportunity despite near universal unemployment. Martelly replaces outgoing president René Preval.
