Report: Hariri and Geagea Agree to Exert Efforts on a New Electoral Law
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Former PM Saad Hariri and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea agreed to keep up efforts in a bid to find a new electoral law that guarantees national consensus, on the backdrop of Tuesday's approval of the controversial Orthodox Gathering proposal, the al-Joumhouria daily said Wednesday.
In a lengthy phone call overnight, the two men touched on the thorny draft-law that was approved by the joint parliamentary committees, amid a walkout by the lawmakers of al-Mustaqbal bloc, the National Struggle Front and some independent Christian March 14 MPs.
The proposal calls for dividing Lebanon into a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own lawmakers under a proportional representation system.
Intense consultations away from the media spotlight were held with Speaker Nabih Berri ahead of Tuesday's meeting to resolve the differences between the rival blocs.
But despite efforts of some to postpone the discussion on article 2 and the withdrawal of several MPs, the joint committees, including LF MP George Adwan, approved the Orthodox proposal.
Hariri and Geagea agreed to keep up efforts in a bid to find a new electoral law that guarantees national consensus and the best representation for all parties, according to the daily.
20 February 2013, 09:01
35
If the election is held under this lamentable law, do you think al mustaqbal will cause chaos in Lebanon? If m14 wins and the new majority decides on a different speaker of the house, what will happen on the streets? If the new parliament and government decides that all weapons must be collected and be under the control of the state, what will the Hizb do? Answer these questions honestly and you will know who is the danger to lebanon's fragile democracy.
20 February 2013, 09:17
22
Rafehh, the Orthodox gathering law will not have much effects on the distribution of leaders neither on the political life. First it will have minor effects on the election of Hariri or Hezbollah deputies because these sects are not divided inside, and in all cases votes have always happened on a sect basis: Majority of Shiaa elects a Sihiaa leader and same for Sunnis. Second it will affect the distribution of Christians seats not its identities: Aoun and Geagea will share seats in a certain proportionality but will remain the grooms of Hariri and Hezbollah....
20 February 2013, 10:50
11
rafehhh is right by the way!
the law all depends on wether for example sunnis vote for sunnis, shias vote for shias, maronites vote for maronites or muslims vote for muslims and christians vote for christians. It makes a difference because shias and sunnis will have problems. Christians do not mind voting for any other christian.
20 February 2013, 14:18
11
eltigar i do not think you understood what i meant! If you're a sunni for example will you be just voting for sunnis in general or you will be voting for muslims. Let's say al mustaqbal has a list made of 4 sunnis 2 shias and one maronite. Will you be voting for 4 sunnis and 2 shias or just 4 sunnis. That is my question?
