Naharnet

Mustaqbal: Presence of More than One Presidential Candidate Enhances Democracy

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc noted Tuesday that the presence of two presidential candidates “enhances democratic practice,” urging all parliamentary blocs to attend the February 8 electoral session.

“The bloc reiterates its call for the parliament to end the state of presidential void and quickly elect a president,” said Mustaqbal in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

“The presence of more than one candidate vying for the presidential post enhances democratic practice,” the bloc pointed out.

It was referring to the nominations of Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun and Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh – both members of the March 8 camp.

“The bloc holds all parliamentary blocs responsible for attending and taking part in the February 8 parliamentary session to elect a president,” Mustaqbal added.

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of successor. The blocs of Aoun and Hizbullah and some of their allies have been boycotting the electoral sessions.

Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri launched late in 2015 a proposal to nominate Franjieh as president.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Hariri's ally in the March 14 camp, was a presidential candidate at the time and some observers have said that the LF leader has recently nominated Aoun for the presidency as a “reaction” to Hariri's proposal, a claim Geagea has denied.

Y.R.


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