FRI 26 - 4 - 2024
 
Date: Jan 16, 2017
Source: The Daily Star
Lebanon: Democratic Gathering to start tour on vote law
BEIRUT: The Democratic Gathering bloc will begin a tour of Lebanese politicians to explain its stance on the country's electoral law, local media reported Monday.

Former Agriculture Minister Akram Chehayeb, who belongs to MP Walid Jumblatt’s parliamentary bloc, said that the aim was to display their "complete and clear opinion about the electoral law, by stressing on the [need to adopt] a law based on the majoritarian system."

"Adopting a proportional vote law has its requirements and elements that are not available in Lebanon," he said in remarks to Al-Joumhouria newspaper.

He added that the bloc was in the process of setting the dates to kick off the tour, which will include meetings with President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri, in addition to the main parliamentary blocs.

The delegation will include MPs Chehayeb, Ghazi al-Aridi, Wael Abu Faour and Henry Helou.

Talks among rivals on the adoption of a new vote law have angered Jumblatt, who has been pushing against the adoption of a proportional system and warning of attempts to marginalize the Druze.

However, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Hariri reassured him that they wouldn’t approve any vote law that doesn’t gain his approval.

Lebanese parties have been divided over adopting a proportional vote law or a hybrid electoral law which includes aspects of the proportional and the current 1960 winner-takes-all systems.

The Free Patriotic Movement, Amal Movement and Hezbollah have repeatedly expressed their support for a proportional electoral law.

However, some officials have not ruled out the idea that elections could again be held under the current 1960 law if no agreement is made in time.

Parliamentary elections are set to be held in May.


 
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