Serge Gilles

Serge Gilles (born 5 January 1936 in Maïssade, Haiti) is the leader of the Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats political party. He spent 25 years in overseas exile before returning to Haiti in 1986. He became the leader of the Fusion party in 2005 and was fielded as their candidate for President but lost to René Préval.

Private life

Gilles was born in the central plateau of Haiti. He attended secondary school in Hinche, then went on to further his education at Alexandre Pétion school in Port-au-Prince. He became a physical education teacher, teaching history and sports, which won him an award by the French Institute in Haiti of a scholarship to further his education. Gilles earned a degree in psychology in 1965 from the Sorbonne. He was denied entry back into Haiti so he remained in France and furthered his education. He worked for Cimade, eventually becoming director.