Geagea: We Support Alternative to Orthodox Proposal that Enjoys Backing of Majority of Factions
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea slammed on Tuesday various factions for their criticism of the Orthodox Gathering draft electoral law and failure to make their own alternative proposal to the suggestion.
He said during a press conference: “We support any alternative to the Orthodox proposal that enjoys the backing of the majority of political powers.”
“The solution to the deadlock lies in the factions that have not announced their stand over the electoral draft laws to make their own suggestions,” he explained.
“There is no doubt that the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft law has its flaws and all those who pointed them out should also propose solutions to them,” remarked Geagea.
Moreover, he revealed that the opposition Phalange, Mustaqbal, and LF factions attempted and failed to garner the support of majority of lawmakers at parliament in order to approve the electoral draft law proposal based on 50 small-sized districts.
The LF chief said that any law needs the backing of 65 MPs in order to be passed at parliament.
“Should we then return to the 1960 law?” he wondered.
“None of the opposition factions enjoy a parliamentary majority that will enable them to pass a new electoral law,” he noted.
All political parties are united in the mission to find a new electoral law besides the 1960 one, Geagea stressed.
“Consultations are ongoing with President Michel Suleiman and all our allies. The discussions should not simply focus on the Orthodox Gathering law, but electoral draft laws in general,” he stated.
Furthermore, he did not rule out the possibility of discussing and amending the government electoral draft law that was approved in August.
The cabinet's proposal is based on proportional representation and 13 districts.
It was met by the rejection of the March 14-led opposition and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.
The Orthodox Gathering draft law calls for each sect to elect its own lawmakers.
The proposal enjoys the support of the Christian four-party committee comprised of the Phalange Party, Free Patriotic Movement, Marada Movement, and Lebanese Forces.
The draft law was criticized by Suleiman, Premier Najib Miqati, Jumblat, the Mustaqbal Movement, March 14 Independent Christian leaders and several other figures.
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