Suleiman Rejects Imposing Electoral Law on President
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
President Michel Suleiman stressed on Sunday that he rejects attempts by any country to impose its stance concerning the upcoming parliamentary election, noting that the capacities of the Lebanese army should be fortified.
“It should be clear. No Lebanese president would accept being directed by any country concerning the electoral law,” Suleiman said at a meeting with the Lebanese community in Ghana during an official visit.
A consensus over an electoral law has yet to be reached after the Orthodox Gathering's proposal that considers Lebanon a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system, was opposed by Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, al-Mustaqbal bloc, the PSP, and the independent Christian MPs of the March 14 opposition, saying it harms the social fabric and increases sectarian tension.
The president pointed out that the Taif accord should be safeguarded by the adoption of an electoral law that represents diverse Lebanese segments.
“We will not allow expatriates to cast their votes according to sectarian ballot boxes,” Suleiman said.
Suleiman and Miqati have signed a decree that sets the elections on June 9 based on the 1960 law that was used in the 2009 polls over the lack of agreement between the bickering parliamentary blocs.
Their call have drawn the ire of the March 8 majority coalition which has totally rejected the law.
Suleiman lauded the cabinet's decision to fortify the abilities of the Lebanese army, saying: “The army is the symbol of the nations unity and it was able to safeguard the country during the difficult time.”
The Cabinet approved in September a 1.6-billion-dollar plan to properly equip the Lebanese army.
The president urged officials to agree on a national defense strategy to enable the army to benefit from the capabilities of the resistance.
17 March 2013, 14:01
41
Yes, we have heard this before ... So what is the plan going forward when M14 still boycotts Parliament after all these months?
To date the only plan that will pass is the Orthodox Gathering Plan. To pretend that there will be a plan that will reach consensus is nonsense.
Suleiman needs to put up or shut up and sign off on the gathering plan. His obstinacy in the face of the facts only gives comfort to the elements of discord.
By admitting that the gathering plan is supportable he will force those that cling to "dead initiatives" to put forth plans that are acceptable.
17 March 2013, 15:50
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Suleiman is being pushed around because of his position on consensus. There will never be consensus ... never. The best that can happen is a "fair" majority law.
At this point the best option is the "gathering law" with important concessions to minority parties. Suleiman should allow consideration approval of the gathering law as a starting point for negotiations.
Even the M14 parties can not agree among themselves on an electoral law. How does this bode when all parties are considered? Suleiman needs to put aside his demands and yield to the facts on the ground ...
17 March 2013, 17:47
03
What is so good about the gathering law? It is a most dangerous law that will lead to partitioning Lebanon at worst and reduce the power of Christians by bringing their representation in parliament proportionally to their nr.
17 March 2013, 18:03
30
@ greatpierro
The gathering law is the only proposal that has majority support. The gathering law should be negotiated to be the basis for the coming elections.
As it stands it is no where near ready but through concessions can be modified to be fair to all parties. What we know is that all parties reject the '60 law ... or so they say.
The problem is somewhat sectarian but more so organizational. One district versus many districts. Many districts means corruption and under representation.
There should be a compromise between larger, say no more than 13 districts with 2 or 3 MPs each and a party ballot election. The point is one district as a starting point.
Somewhere in there is a majority electoral law ... Consensus is a fairy tale ... never happen ... no party is going to give away any advantages.
17 March 2013, 17:20
31
We shall see ... All the major parties have come against the '60 law. My guess is that secretly M14 is for the '60 because it is in such a shambles ...
Walid Jumblat is certainly hoping for the '60 law and will most probably stall M14 negotiations until the last possible minute but extract a deal that he knows will alienate M8.
What we know for sure is that everything is up for grabs and that M14 is seriously wounded as a party. Both Suleiman and Miqati will be fighting for their political lives should they implement the '60 law.
