Abi Ramia resigns from FPM after Alain Aoun's expulsion

MP Simon Abi Ramia of the Strong Lebanon bloc on Wednesday announced his resignation from “the organizational structure of the Free Patriotic Movement.”

In a statement, Abi Ramia, who represents the Jbeil district in parliament, noted that he had been a supporter of FPM founder General Michel Aoun since September 18, 1988.

“During the establishment period, our party’s bylaws were based on true partnership, serious consultation and positive democracy. But it quickly started deviating from those principles and our bylaws started gradually turning into a presidential system, with a shift from a rich intellectual pluralism into unilateralism,” Abi Ramia said.

The MP also slammed the policy of “expulsions.”

Abi Ramia’s move comes after Friday’s expulsion of MP Alain Aoun from the FPM and the recent expulsion of Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab.