Al-Ferzli Meets MP Gemayel, Says There is More Conviction that Orthodox Plan is Best Option
Former Deputy Speaker Elie al-Ferzli said a meeting he held with Phalange MP Sami Gemayel on Wednesday enhanced the strong belief that the Orthodox Gathering proposal is the best option for a new electoral law.
Following the 90 minutes of talks with Gemayel in Bikfaya, al-Ferzli said: “There is more conviction after today's meeting that the Orthodox (proposal) is the best option.”
He hoped however that rival lawmakers would reach consensus on an alternative that appeases all sides and guarantees the best representation for all the Lebanese and mainly Christians.
“Until now and around than five days before the national assembly no one suggested a law that guarantees the rights of Christians, respects article 24 of the constitution and stops the ongoing assaults on the constitutional rights of Christians since 1991,” said al-Ferzli, who is the architect of the Orthodox proposal.
The plan considers Lebanon a single electoral district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system.
The former deputy speaker, who has been tasked by Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun to discuss with Christian officials the electoral law, said he talked with Gemayel about the importance of coming up with a plan that “reproduces political life in Lebanon.”
His comments came as Speaker Nabih Berri called on lawmakers for a parliamentary session on May 15.
He reiterated during his weekly meeting with lawmakers that he would call for a vote on the Orthodox proposal during the session for being the only plan that was approved by the joint parliamentary committees unless an agreement is reached on an alternative plan before that date.
Wednesday's meeting with Gemayel was held two days after similar talks between Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and caretaker energy minister Jebran Bassil, who is a Free Patriotic Movement official.
The meeting at Geagea’s residence in Maarab was attended by al-Ferzli and LF MPs George Adwan and Elie Kairouz.
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