Constitutional Council Rejects FPM Appeal against Parliament's Extension
The Constitutional Council rejected on Friday an appeal filed by the Free Patriotic Movement against the extension of parliament's term.
It said that the rejection was aimed at avoiding prolonging vacuum at constitutional institutions.
“The staging of the parliamentary elections on a regular basis is a constitutional principle that should never be tampered with,” it stressed.
It also added that linking the elections to the agreement on a new electoral law or any other condition “violates the constitution.”
The council remarked that the extension violates the constitution, “but the extraordinary circumstances Lebanon is passing through forced the council to reject the appeal.”
The FPM, headed by MP Michel Aoun, had referred in its challenge to such extraordinary circumstances.
The council explained that the parliamentary elections should be held once these circumstances are no longer present in the country.
Moreover, it condemned the ongoing vacuum in the presidency, saying it is a “blatant violation of the constitution.”
Aoun later told his visitors that the Constitutional Council decision is wrong, reported MTV.
“Its excuse over the vacuum at the institutions is unjustified,” he added.
The parliament extended its term earlier this month until June 2017 despite the boycott of the FPM and Kataeb MPs.
Two others voted against the law but 95 lawmakers extended their own terms for the second time, giving them a full eight years in power— double their allowed mandate.
M.T.
G.K.
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