The issue of governmental expenditure has turned
into a “rope pulling” between the majority and opposition.
The majority failed to pass the 8.9 trillion draft
law which was accordingly referred to President Michel Sleiman who, by virtue
of article 58 of the constitution, is entitled to sign the expenditure decree.
For his part, Sleiman has refused to sign the
decree on the grounds that “it is unconstitutional and subject to appeal.”
On a related note, sources from the ministry of
finance told LBCI that in the event that the president fails to sign the decree,
Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi will push the cabinet to unanimously take a
political decision to spend the funds because he will not take upon himself the
decision to continue violating the expenditure laws.