FPM, PSP Ministers Trade Accusations at Cabinet over Electricity File
Disputes erupted at cabinet on Wednesday between ministers from the Free Patriotic Movement and the Progressive Socialist Party over the electricity draft law that was proposed by FPM leader MP Michel Aoun.
Ministerial sources told the Central News Agency that the electricity file was set as a priority, but talks soon took a sour turn as the FPM and PSP ministers accused the other of adopting a militia mentality and seeking to impose their will by force.
FPM sources told the Central News Agency: “Reservations voiced by some members of cabinet stem from technical and legal questions on the draft law that are only aimed at thwarting its adoption.”
“These members are also unwilling to present the electricity file on a silver platter to the Christians, and Aoun in particular,” they added.
Aoun had threatened that his ministers would resign from cabinet should the electricity draft law fail to be approved.
He stated on Tuesday: “The government can resign, but our dignity will remain intact.”
Meanwhile, PSP leader MP Walid Jumblat indirectly responded to these statements by telling As Safir newspaper in remarks published on Wednesday: “We will not succumb to threats and blackmail.”
“We are not concerned if the current political alliance is destabilized,” he added.
A few weeks ago, parliament had failed to approve an electricity draft law proposed by Aoun that allows Energy Minister Jebran Bassil to receive $1,200,000,000 to implement a project on producing 700 Megawatts of electricity.
The March 14-led opposition and the National Struggle Front says that the draft law gives the minister the freedom to use the amount of money without referring to the cabinet or without any monitoring by the Audit Bureau.
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