Sharp debate concludes sub-parliamentary debacle

Following the afternoon meeting of the parliamentary sub-committee tasked with discussing the electoral law, MP Robert Ghanem said that the sub-committee will raise its report to Speaker Nabih Berri concerning its discussions.      

“A meeting will be held next Tuesday whereby the parliamentary sub-committee will sign the report which transcribes its discussions,” MP Ghanem said.                 

For his part Change and Reform Bloc MP Alain Aoun said that the discussions came to an end, but deputies failed to reach an agreement on a hybrid [proportionality-majoritarian] law.                        

“The Orthodox Gathering electoral draft law is constitutional and it safeguards the rights of the Christian community,” MP Aoun reiterated.                         

MP Aoun added that elections will not be held on the basis of the 1960’s electoral law and mentioned that “if an agreement is not reached by the due date stipulated by the Interior Ministry on March 11, 2013, the country will enter into a crisis,” he said.                      

Meanwhile, National Struggle Front MP Akram Chahayyeb said that Lebanon can only survive through dialogue and coexistence, and added that “no group can eliminate the other”.           

As for the Future Bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat, he stated that they expressed their refusal for the Orthodox draft law and the proportionality system in light of Hezbollah’s weapons hegemony.         

Fatfat added that they proposed a majoritarian law based on smaller districts; however the FPM rejected this proposal.                

“We reject the stances voiced by MP Alain Aoun and call on Speaker Berri to find a solution,” MP Fatfat said.                    

For his part the Kataeb Party Deputy Sami Gemayel pointed out that the talks were held in order to reach common grounds for an electoral law that ensures fair representation for all and mentioned that they proposed several laws which were met with vetoes "by one party or another".          

Gemayel said, "only a law that ensures fair representation and common consensus by all parties will garner the Kataeb's support."         

“It is unacceptable that a solution be found on the expense of Christian representation,” Gemayel added.         

As for LF MP Georges Adwan, he said that they are facing legal issues and political concerns in reaching an agreement over a new electoral law and stressed that "they want to grant the rights to all factions and ease the concerns of all parties".     

Adwan said that during the meetings, deputies discussed various issues pertaining to the electoral law and tried to reach solutions.               

“The Orthodox gathering electoral draft serves the majority, but it does not ease the concerns of all factions,” Adwan said.            

Adwan added that they are working hard in order to reach common grounds and agree on an electoral law.              

“Let us benefit from the remaining time to agree on an electoral law since the 1960’s law is out of the question,” Adwan added.          

For his part MP Serge Torsakissian said that Deputies have their points of view and are not to be criticized should they propose a new electoral law.            

“We missed a great opportunity to agree on an electoral law since the Orthodox Gathering draft law was rejected inthe early stages,” Sarkissian said.            

After MP Sarkissian’s speech, MP Alain Aoun took to the podium again to reassure that the elections will not be held on the basis of the 60’s law.          

Fatfat responded by saying that they have been reporting to the public opinion what they discussed during the meetings.      

In this context, a sharp debate erupted between MPs Aoun and Fatfat on the backdrop of statements pertaining to the electoral law since MP Aoun accused the latter of lying and Fatfat responded by saying that such words are “threatening and intimidating”.       

It is worth noting that the parliamentary sub-committee initially held a meeting this morning.                      

Following the morning meeting MP Robert Ghanem met with Speaker Nabih Berri at his residence in Ain el-Tineh where he briefed him on debates discussed during the sub-committee’s meeting and added that constitutional and legal mechanisms should be followed.          

“I’ll leave it to Speaker Berri to determine how issues pertaining to the electoral law should be handled,” MP Ghanem said.