Berri Says Consensus over Any Adopted Electoral Law 'Crucial'

Speaker Nabih Berri is keen to bridge the gap between the political foes and find common ground over the electoral law that will be adopted during the upcoming parliamentary elections, according to local newspapers published on Tuesday.

“The worst electoral law that we reach consensus over is better than the best electoral law that has sharp rift over,” Berri pointed out.

He stressed the importance of an electoral law that has the approval of all the political factions in the country, rejecting to yield to “pessimist scenarios” if the rival parties failed to agree on the matter.

Several officials, including Premier Najib Miqati and Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat, have warned of dire consequences if the parliament adopted the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal.

Berri revealed that he has several suggestions to end the dispute over the electoral law “but he is waiting for the right time to propose them.”

A parliamentary subcommittee tasked with discussing the electoral law wrapped up on Monday its first round of talks after it held nine meetings without being able to reach consensus among its members.

The speaker said that all negotiations should be carried out on the basis of adopting an electoral law based on proportional representation, adding: “It is the foundation of developing the political system and democratic life in Lebanon.”

Among the proposals being examined for this year's parliamentary elections are the Orthodox proposal and a draft-law suggested by March 14 that divides Lebanon into 50 small districts based on a winner-takes-all system.

Another draft-law has been proposed by the cabinet. It is based on a proportional representation system with 13 medium-sized electoral districts.

Berri called on those who reject proportional representation to reconsider their stance as the parliament can adopt an electoral law that guarantees a better representation of all sects and parties.

The AMAL leader said he is not “convinced” with the excuse that proportional representation shouldn't be adopted amid the spread of Hizbullah's arms, saying weapons are currently dispersed across the country.

Several March 14 officials have said that the 1960 law that is based on a winner-takes-all system should be adopted with some amendments if the subcommittee failed to reach an agreement on a new draft-law.

Concerning the controversial Orthodox Gathering draft law, Berri reiterated that he agrees on any proposal that garners a Christian majority.

The speaker, according to media reports, is convinced that the unity of Lebanon is linked to resolving the fears of Christians and ensuring real partnership in decision making.

The Orthodox proposal has received the backing of top rival Christian parties -The Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, the Phalange Party and the Marada movement – during a meeting in Bkirki. It calls for each sect to elect its own MPs under a proportional representation system based on a nationwide district.

Top Christian parties later held another meeting under Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki, issuing a terse statement, a move that was seen as a retreat from their support for the Orthodox proposal.

The proposal has been criticized by President Michel Suleiman, Miqati, Jumblat, al-Mustaqbal Movement and several other Christian MPs and officials.