Jumblat Says Orthodox Gathering Proposal Chapter Closed
President Michel Suleiman and the independent MPs of the March 14 opposition alliance closed the chapter of the dispute on the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal, Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat said.
In remarks to As Safir daily published Thursday, Jumblat praised Suleiman and the independent Christian lawmakers for obstructing the “suicidal proposal” which calls for a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system.
The proposal has been approved by the joint parliamentary committees, the last step before Speaker Nabih Berri calls for a parliamentary session to approve it.
But Berri stressed on several occasions that he wouldn't invite for a National Assembly if there is lack of agreement between the major factions on an electoral draft-law that would govern this year's polls.
After al-Mustaqbal bloc's acceptance to combine the winner-takes-all and proportional representation systems, it is now possible to discuss a draft-law proposed by the government by introducing some amendments to it mainly the transfer of seats from one district to the other, he said.
The draft calls for 13 districts under a proportional representation system.
The latest consultations between the major factions are focusing on the government’s proposal and Berri is at the center of the talks, Jumblat told As Safir.
Berri withdrew on Wednesday his hybrid proposal after it became a point of contention between the March 8 majority and the March 14 opposition alliances.
In his remarks to As Safir, Jumblat denied that he had asked for a meeting with Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
But he reiterated that he would ask for it if he saw that such a meeting between them was necessary.
According to An Nahar daily, Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati and Jumblat attended a dinner banquet at the house of Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas on Tuesday night.
The officials discussed the electoral draft-law, in addition to the security situation in the country, it said.
Jumblat stressed in his remarks published Thursday that he and Suleiman insist on forming the authority that would oversee the elections and reject the postponement of the polls.
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