Naharnet

Al-Rahi Travels to Hungary: We Need to Reach Agreement on Electoral Law that Appeases All Sides

Maronite Patriarch Beshsara al-Rahi traveled to Hungary on Sunday morning on an official visit where he is set to meet a number of senior officials.

Speaking at the airport ahead of his flight, the patriarch stated: “We need to reach a parliamentary electoral law that appeases all sides.”

“We need a law that grants fair representation to all powers,” he added.

“The Bkirki committee brings together Christian factions in order to reach an agreement over the new law,” he continued.

Al-Rahi reiterated his rejection of the 1960 electoral law because it does not offer just representation.

The Bkirki committee brings together a number of opposition and March 8 Christian factions in order for them to devise a new electoral draft law.

The Maronite Bishops Council on Thursday voiced their opposition to the 1960s law and any amendment to it, “because it resulted in representation that violates coexistence.”

An amended version of the law was adopted during the 2009 parliamentary elections.

“It is imperative that the new law guarantee just representation, equality among Muslims and Christians, as stipulated by the Taef accord, and grant expatriates the right to vote,” they added after their monthly meeting.

Al-Rahi will follow up his four-day visit to Hungary with a trip to Rome on October 4 where he will take part in a Synod on the new bible, which is scheduled to end on October 30.


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