The international community has notified the Lebanese government of the necessity to agree on a new law for the upcoming parliamentary polls in order for the country to be able to restore its “democratic rhythm,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.
“Prominent international community sources have communicated with the Lebanese government stressing the necessity to devise a new law or stage the parliamentary elections because the international community is annoyed with a country that endured a presidential vacuum for two years, and is unable now to draft a new election law and restore its normal democratic cycle,” said al-Joumhouria.
“In this context, a statement issued by the international support group should be considered. It encouraged the Lebanese leaders to “benefit from the time frame to intensify their efforts to agree on an electoral framework for holding free and fair elections in accordance with the constitution,”” added the daily.
The sources reiterated “the importance of staging the elections in a timely manner to preserve the democratic process in Lebanon,” and called on Lebanese leaders “to reach an agreement as soon as possible through political consultations.”
Furthermore, “it is worth noting that Lebanon is not included in the tour initiated by US Defense Minister James Mattis to the region, knowing that Lebanon is one of the countries that receives US military aid,” said the newspaper.
Political parties are bickering over amending the current 1960 majoritarian election law which divides seats among the different religious sects.
The latest electoral law proposal suggested by Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, has reportedly been shelved due to the objections of several political forces including allies of the Free Patriotic Mnemosyne such as the Lebanese Forces and al-Mustaqbal Movement.
A number of law formats were suggested before Bassil’s as well, but none has garnered consensus of political parties.
Bassil’s hybrid, two-round electoral system had been initially rejected by Druze leader MP Walid Jumblat and the LF, and on Tuesday MP Ammar Houri of al-Mustaqbal bloc said “Bassil’s suggestion with its sectarian voting round cannot pass and it is distant from the spirit of the Taef Accord and the constitution.”
Bassil’s format prevents voters from voting for candidates from other sects in the first round and divides Lebanon into 26 districts. The second round involves a non-sectarian proportional representation system and 10 larger districts.
Source:
Addiyar/ Naharnet
