Berri: Delay in Cabinet Formation Jeopardizes Election Law
Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that a prolonged delay in the government formation process imperils stipulating a new electoral law that helps hold the parliamentary elections on time, al-Joumhouria daily reported Monday.
Berri had voiced warnings in front of his visitors that he has not been informed of any positive developments as for the efforts exerted to facilitate the difficulties hampering the formation, according to the daily.
He stressed the need to line-up a government and warned against the consequences shall the delay extend further. He underlined the importance of drafting a new electoral system to replace the 1960 law as soon as the cabinet is lined-up and before the parliamentary elections slated in May.
Berri voiced fears “that some political parties might be pushing towards imposing the 1960 voting law, which would put the political class in a confrontation with the overwhelming majority of the Lebanese who reject the 1960, according to statistics.”
“The Development and Liberation bloc, the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc and the Change and Reform bloc all meet on common ground and on the need to draft a new law that achieves just representation. Any law other than the 1960 law would be more worthy of the aspirations of the Lebanese who want a comprehensive and just representation in the parliament,” concluded Berri.
Last month, the parliament elected Michel Aoun, a former general, as president ending a two-and-half-year deadlock that left Lebanon without a president.
But Premier-designate Hariri is still facing obstacles bringing together a line-up that balances Lebanon's delicate sectarian-based political system. At stake is the distribution of the most powerful portfolios like the defense ministry and other key portfolios including the public works.
The political parties are also bickering over amending the current majoritarian or winner-takes-all election law which divides seats among the different religious sects.
The current parliament has failed to amend the law, and has extended its mandate twice amid criticism. New elections are scheduled for May 2017.
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://cdn.naharnet.com/stories/en/221069 |