Suleiman Asks Constitutional Council To Review Rent Law Constitutionality
President Michel Suleiman on Monday asked the Constitutional Council to look into the constitutionality of the new rent law.
The state-run National News Agency reported that Suleiman requested the Council to check whether the draft law adheres to Article 19 of the Constitution.
Earlier this month, the president rejected signing the new rent law, saying: “Any law that does not grant social justice will be unfair against a certain segment of the people.”
The parliament passed in April the controversial draft law regarding rents, which calls for an increase in rents over a six-year period until they reach 5 percent of their current value.
The old rent law pertains to rent contracts carried out before 1993.
Tenants of old rent law buildings have slammed the draft law, saying that it will force many of them to leave their houses because they would not be able to afford the new rent.
The owners of the buildings, on the other hand, say that the law paves the way for better ties with tenants.
Several demonstrations have been staged in protest against the law, with the General Labor Confederation calling on Suleiman to refer it back to the Joint Parliamentary Committees for further discussions.
S.D.B.
M.T.
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