Port-au-Prince, December 26 (RHC-teleSUR) -- Haitian President Michel Martelly named veteran politician Evans Paul as prime minister Thursday, as the embattled president seeks to defuse a political crisis over long-delayed elections.

Paul replaces former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, who quit earlier this month based on recommendations made by a presidential advisory committee assigned to resolve Haiti’s domestic political crisis.

President Martelly nominated Paul by presidential decree. However, Paul’s nomination needs approval from both chambers of the legislature.

Thursday's announcement followed large demonstrations throughout Haiti, with protesters calling on the president and prime minister to resign and for new elections to be held.

Meanwhile, if municipal and parliamentary elections do not take place before January 12th, parliament will close, leaving the country without a functioning government until presidential elections in late 2015.