Report: Aspirations of Some to Get Veto Power Impeding Cabinet Formation

The wrangling among political parties over the distribution of ministerial portfolios turns out to be over the so-called “blocking third” or veto power, which sources following up closely on the cabinet formation process said is the core of the differences among the conflicting sides, al-Joumhouria daily reported Tuesday.

Even though no one has openly mentioned that the core of the difference lies in the aspiration of some parties to obtain the majority of the cabinet seats which gives them veto power to pass or obstruct future government decisions, but the problem actually lies there, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

Aspirations to have veto power in the new cabinet can be detected in the share of the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement. The share of the President (3 ministers) and the share of the FPM (3 ministers) in addition to the share of the LF (3 ministers plus a portfolio for minister Michel Pharaon) will pave way for the LF-Aouni alliance to get 10 seats in a 24-minister cabinet, senior sources remarked.

Despite these reports, the LF and the FPM consider the “hypothesis” unrealistic, and slammed any intentions to have an obstruction power in the future cabinet.

Last month, the parliament elected Michel Aoun, a former general, as president ending a two-and-half-year deadlock that left Lebanon without a president.

But Premier-designate Saad Hariri is still facing obstacles bringing together a line-up that balances Lebanon's delicate sectarian-based political system. At stake is the distribution of the most powerful portfolios like the defense ministry and other key portfolios including the public works.

The political parties are also bickering over amending the current majoritarian or winner-takes-all election law which divides seats among the different religious sects.

The current parliament has failed to amend the law, and has extended its mandate twice amid criticism. New elections are scheduled for May 2017.