sentence: Brazil , Canada , France , Spain , the United States , the European Union , and the Organization of American States expressed in a joint statement `` support to the president of the republic in the exercise of his constitutional duty to ensure the regular functioning of institutions and the continuity of the state '' as parliament 's terms lapsed and power passed to Martelly alone .
question: when is someone supported _ _ _ ?
answers: as parliament 's terms lapsed and power passed to Martelly alone