MP Hassan Fadlallah stressed Tuesday that they do not think the budget meets all the aspirations “but the important thing is that the country is moving forward even if in small steps.”
During the parliament session held to discuss the 2019 draft budget, he said that “passing closure of accounts since 2004 cannot be enough,” pointing out that the legal choice if to pass closure of accounts from 1997 to 2017 in a bid to have a sound accountability basis to protect public funds.
He also stressed that the judicial authority must become an independent authority, hoping that the judicial system will be reformed.
The deputy emphasized that no settlements must be reached when it comes to public funds, and any settlement is a crime that must be avoided.
“We seek to reduce legalized waste and we have been keen on rejecting any decision to reduce wages of the employees as well as the retirees,” he added.
He also tackled the issue of the US sanctions that targeted MPs Mohammad Raad and Amin Sheri, as well as Hajj Wafiq Safa, describing the measures as new aggression against Lebanon, “because a deputy represents a national and they also constitute an attack on the parliament.”
“Lebanon is not poor and this budget proves it but it needs serious work,” he said, stressing the need to put in place an economic vision and to fight corruption.