Miqati Expresses Reservations on Orthodox Electoral Law Proposal
Prime Minister Najib Miqati expressed reservations on Wednesday on the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal, saying MPs should agree on an electoral draft-law that guarantees a just representation.
In remarks to An Nahar daily, Miqati stressed the importance of reaching an agreement on “a draft-law that guarantees the fair representation of all sects and factions.”
His remark came a day after President Michel Suleiman's shocking announcement that the Orthodox electoral proposal is in breach of the constitution.
"Despite its unconstitutionality, the Orthodox Gathering's proposal does have a positive side which is considering Lebanon as a single electoral district,” Suleiman said.
The proposal, which calls for each sect to elect its own MPs under a proportional representation system based on a nationwide district, has also faced severe criticism from the opposition al-Mustaqbal bloc and centrist National Struggle Front leader Walid Jumblat.
Rival MPs from the March 8 majority and the March 14 opposition kicked off on Tuesday intense meetings as part of a parliamentary subcommittee tasked with discussing the type of electoral system, the number and size of districts, and the number of lawmakers.
Among the proposals being examined for this year's parliamentary elections are the Orthodox proposal and a draft-law suggested by March 14 that divides Lebanon into 50 small districts based on a winner-takes-all system.
Another draft-law has been proposed by the cabinet. It is based on a proportional representation system with 13 medium-sized electoral districts.
However, it has been totally rejected by the opposition and Jumblat.
Many officials and politicians have said that the 1960 law that is based on a winner-takes-all system should be adopted with some amendments if the subcommittee failed to reach an agreement on a new draft-law.
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