Dr. Garry Conille (AP)Jacqueline Charles from the Miami Herald reports that last night Haiti’s senate confirmed Dr. Garry Conille, a U.N. development official and former aide to former President Bill Clinton as prime minister. Tuesday’s vote - which put an end to almost five months of political gridlock - came after an eight-hour debate on the Senate floor.

According to Charles, opponents argued Conille did not meet the constitutional requirement for the job because he lacked an electoral card and had not lived in Haiti during the past five years.

Senators voted 17-3, with 9 abstentions, to approve Conille, who had won unanimous support in the lower house of deputies last month. The days leading up to the vote were filled with confusion and difficult negotiations with President Michel Martelly’s advisors that ended with some senators loyal to former President René Préval, opting against taking posts in the new government.

Read more at the Miami Herald.