PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitian lawmakers on Sunday chose the country’s Senate chief to lead a caretaker government that will fill the void left by last week’s departure of former President Michel Martelly and perhaps ease lingering tensions that recently suspended elections and pushed the polarized nation into political crisis.

In the early hours of Sunday, Jocelerme Privert was elected as provisional president and sworn in after a plodding session by Haiti’s legislature.

The veteran politician was one of three candidates vying to lead an interim government that’s supposed to last only 120 days. His new position will be that of a powerbroker who could quickly smooth political divisions that have left Haiti without an elected president chosen by voters or a completed Parliament due to suspended elections.

Prime Minister Evans Paul remains in office for now, but Privert and lawmakers are expected to confirm a No. 2 official in the coming days.

During a speech to lawmakers hours before their final vote, Privert vowed to lead a caretaker administration that would ‘‘foster confidence within all sectors of society,’’ ensure stability, and see that suspended elections are held ‘‘as soon as possible.’’

He became interim president after 3 a.m., following a second round of voting that put him over the top.

ASSOCIATED PRESS