Berri Likely to Present Draft Law on Adopting Proportionality for Electoral Law
Speaker Nabih Berri will likely propose a “solution” to the dispute over the parliamentary electoral law next week.
Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil told al-Manar television on Saturday that the solution entails adopting proportional representation for the law.
The proposal will require a constitutional amendment and transform Lebanon into a single electoral district, he explained
“This will pave the way for proportional sectarian distribution that will form a national parliament that can then establish a Senate as stipulated by the Taef Accord,” said the minister.
The speaker will contact a number of concerned sides in order to achieve his goal and ease the insecurities of some sides, he added.
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat had voiced his objection to proportional representation, saying that it seeks to limit his political weight.
Former Premier Saad Hariri also opposes this law, while President Michel Suleiman, Berri, and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun have advocated it.
Meanwhile, Suleiman is keen on allowing expatriates to vote in the 2013 elections, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.
His circles revealed that he had urged Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour to complete diplomatic appointments given the important role embassies play in enabling expatriates to vote.
The electoral law used in the 2009 elections was based on the amended 1960 law and it did not allow expatriates to vote.
A debate has erupted between various political factions in Lebanon over their right to take part in the elections.
The issue is set to be discussed during Wednesday’s cabinet session at the Baabda Palace.
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