Berri Says Parliamentary Polls in Spring Even if No New Law

Speaker Nabih Berri has reiterated his firm rejection of a new extension of the parliament's term, noting that the next parliamentary elections will be held in the spring of 2017 even if the political parties fail to agree on a new electoral law.

“Should no new electoral law be reached by November at the latest, the Interior Ministry will be obliged to prepare for parliamentary polls in the spring under the law that is currently in effect – the 1960 law,” Berri told As Safir newspaper in remarks published Tuesday.

The speaker has several times repeated his rejection of the 1960 law, urging an electoral system based on proportional representation.

Berri has also proposed a so-called “package deal” involving parliamentary elections under a new electoral law before electing a new president and forming a new government.

Should the parties fail to agree on a new law, the parliament's current extended term would be curtailed and the elections would be held under the 1960 law which is currently in effect, Berri says.