Hariri Says Parties Represented in Beirutis List Voted for Other Lists

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Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri on Monday accused some parties who nominated some candidates on the Mustaqbal-led Beirutis List of “voting for other lists” in the capital's municipal elections that were held Sunday.

“I congratulate Beirut's people. Beirut said its word in politics and the Beirutis chose their political orientation and project,” said Hariri at a press conference at the Center House that was attended by the members of the victorious Beirutis List.

“I thank Beirut and the Beirutis and I congratulate the Lebanese on the success of the honorable democratic test. I congratulate all the lists that won the elections and also the lists that participated in the polls in Beirut and the Bekaa,” the ex-PM added.

“I salute Beirut's people and anyone who took part in the elections. I salute every young man and woman who were part of the electoral campaign and I especially salute the army, the security forces, the interior minister and the ministry's departments who oversaw clean elections,” Hariri said.

Addressing the rival Beirut Madinati list, which was formed by a grassroots civic campaign, Hariri added: “You are part of Beirut's social, civil, cultural and youth fabric and you performed a thanked democratic action and preserved the nature of our political system.”

“I believe that you share our dreams and ambitions. You might have addressed harsh words against us during the campaigning, but this is the nature of electoral campaigns and this is your right,” the ex-PM said.

“You are similar to us and you are not at all similar to those who relied on your votes to break equal Christian-Muslim representation” in the 24-member municipal council, Hariri went on to say.

He stressed that “yesterday, Beirut underlined that equal representation is an irreversible choice and that no one can shake it or tamper with it.”

Hariri also revealed that “some parties nominated candidates on the Beirutis List and voted for another list.”

“This could have undermined equal Christian-Muslim representation and it is something that is not honorable in political action or electoral coalitions,” the former premier said.

Hariri also pledged that he will cooperate with Beirut's MPs and the new municipal council in order to ensure fairness for all of Beirut's neighborhoods, to improve sanitation and services, and to create public and green spaces and playgrounds for Beirut's residents.

Spearheaded by al-Mustaqbal movement, the Beirutis List comprised candidates nominated by several political parties that are represented in the government and parliament, such as the AMAL Movement, the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb Party and the Tashnag Party.

Earlier in the day, the head of the Beirutis List, Jamal Itani announced that, according to initial results from its electoral apparatus, the list won all the seats of the municipal council.

Later on Monday, media reports said the rival Beirut Madinati list was leading in the vote count in the capital's majority Christian areas.

Authorities are expected to announce later today the official results for the elections held on Sunday in the capital and in two provinces in the Bekaa region.

They were the first elections of any kind in Lebanon since the last municipal polls in 2010, in a country with a deeply divided political scene that has not had a president for the past two years nor voted for a parliament since 2009.

In Beirut, hopes had been high that a new list of independents -- Beirut Madinati, Arabic for "Beirut is my city" -- could take on an established political class accused of incompetence and corruption.

A candidate from civil society initiative Beirut Madinati said that even if the list did not win any seats, it had at least shaken up the political establishment.

"We're not taking part in the polls to make any political gain but to give serious competition" to traditional parties, Rana Khoury told AFP.

"The mere fact that we made those in power... feel that they had been given a cold shower means that we achieved something positive," she said.

"We made them feel they don't represent or serve citizens as they should."

Beirut Madinati's program to attract frustrated voters had included plans to improve public transport in the traffic-clogged capital, introduce more green spaces, make housing affordable and implement a lasting waste management solution.

Turnout was low in the capital on Sunday with only 20 percent of registered voters casting votes, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq said.

Y.R.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 3
Missing helicopter 09 May 2016, 23:36

Please stop congratulating, thanking and saluting and start showing us why your list deserved to win ..... we want actions and results.

Missing helicopter 10 May 2016, 06:35

I agree

Default-user-icon beyrouti (Guest) 10 May 2016, 10:33

kel mara mnentekheb w bikhib amalna hal marra chou?