Saniora Rejects Proportional Electoral Law as Differences Surge among Opposition over Orthodox Gathering Proposal
Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora openly rejected on Thursday any electoral law based on proportional representation, expressing annoyance over the stances taken by his March 14 allies over the Orthodox Gathering draft-law, media reports said.
According to An Nahar newspaper, Saniora said that “no proportional law will be adopted under the hegemony of Hizbullah arms that is similar to the Syrian tutelage.”
Local newspapers reported that Saniora praised during a phone conversation with President Michel Suleiman his “brave” stance, saying that he “proved that he (the president) is the guardian of the constitution.”
Sources close to Suleiman said in comments published in As Safir that he is holding onto the electoral draft-law proposed by the cabinet, stressing that he will not back down on his stance from the Orthodox Gathering law suggestion.
However, the sources said that the president will not obstruct any agreement reached by the Lebanese foes.
Suleiman rejected on Tuesday the adopting the Orthodox Gathering's proposed law in the upcoming parliamentary elections, describing it as “unconstitutional.”
The lawmaker also contacted Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, and MPs Michel Murr and Butros Harb.
He informed his March 14 opposition allies that he rejects “the Orthodox Gathering draft-law, also known as Ferzli law, as it incites further division among the Lebanese sects.”
On Sunday, The Christian four-party committee on the electoral law agreed to endorse the electoral system proposed by the so-called Orthodox Gathering, under which each sect would elect its own lawmakers.
Saniora stressed the importance of holding onto the “Taef accord and defending it with all the democratic means to maintain the Lebanese unity.”
Informed sources told al-Liwaa newspaper that Saniora expressed aggravation from the stance taken by his allies over the Orthodox Gathering draft-law.
The electoral subcommittee resumed discussions over the electoral law after the opposition agreed to Speaker Nabih Berri's proposal of residing in a hotel near the parliament building in downtown Beirut, as a safety precaution.
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