Mustaqbal Says Clinging to Hybrid Electoral Law until Removal of 'Militia Arms'

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc stressed Tuesday that it cannot accept an electoral law fully based on the proportional representation system as long as Hizbullah holds onto its controversial arsenal of arms.

“The bloc reiterates its insistence on the formula of the hybrid law that mixes the winner-takes-all and proportional representation systems which it has submitted jointly with the Lebanese Forces and the Democratic Gathering as a transitional and feasible solution,” said the bloc in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

“A system fully based on proportional representation can only be implemented after the elimination of the clout and control of the militia arms that are manipulating and tipping the balances in Lebanon,” the bloc added.

Hizbullah has repeatedly called for an electoral law fully based on proportional representation but other political parties, especially Mustaqbal, have rejected the proposal, arguing that the party's weapons would prevent serious competition in regions where Hizbullah has clout.

Mustaqbal, the LF and the Democratic Gathering have meanwhile proposed a hybrid electoral law that mixes the proportional representation and the winner-takes-all systems. Speaker Nabih Berri has also proposed a hybrid law.

The country has not voted for a parliament since 2009, with the legislature instead twice extending its own mandate.

The 2009 polls were held under an amended version of the 1960 electoral law and the next elections are scheduled for May 2017.