Jumblat: Druze Community Refuses Marginalization

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Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat was up in arms recently protesting the cabinet's performance and what he believes is “marginalization” of the Druze community, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday.

The Druze leader's stance stance was evident in a series of tweets in which he protested, what sources close to him described as, “tendency to marginalize,” them.

“In light of this disposition to marginalize us, Jumblat has no choice but to engage in a fierce challenge to deter these attempts,” sources close to Jumblat were quoted as saying. They were referring to the debate over a new electoral law and suggestions to adopt the proportional representation law which Jumblat strongly disagrees with, according to the daily.

It is clear that Jumblat is ready for the challenge, said the daily, and has expressed resentment in a series of tweets with the stances of some ministers, without naming them, and government decisions the most recent were the oil and gas decrees.

On his position as for the latest developments on stipulating a new election law for the parliamentary elections, Jumblat told the daily: “Let everyone know that I refuse to consider a major faction in Lebanon secondary...I will not abandon this faction and I am always ready for consultations.”

The Druze leader, concluded: “Enough outbidding and side talks. Each party is doing what suits it best, as if it is the only community being. They act as if the Druze community does not exist. We will not accept that.”

In light of efforts to agree on a new election law for the parliamentary elections scheduled for May, some politicians have been encouraging for the adoption of proportional representation, which the PSP leader strongly rejects.

Hizbullah has repeatedly called for an electoral law based on proportional representation but other political parties, especially al-Mustaqbal Movement, have rejected the proposal and argued that the party's controversial arsenal of arms would prevent serious competition in regions where the Iran-backed party is influential.

Mustaqbal, the Lebanese Forces and the Progressive Socialist Party have meanwhile proposed a hybrid electoral law that mixes the proportional representation and the winner-takes-all systems. Speaker Nabih Berri has also proposed a hybrid law.

The country has not voted for a parliament since 2009, with the legislature instead twice extending its own mandate.

The 2009 polls were held under an amended version of the 1960 electoral law and the next elections are scheduled for May 2017.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 3
Thumb ex-fpm 10 January 2017, 10:16

Junblatt is similar to all other lebanese politicians: sectarian, corrupt and populist. This is not about marginalization and all about personalization. The Druze will always get the same number of MPs regardless of what electoral law is adopted so will every other sect in Lebanon. The Issue is about personal party dominance within each sect.

Thumb marcus 10 January 2017, 16:30

absolutely ex-fpm this is not about christian, sunni, shia, or druze marginalization. It is about these corrupt dinosaurs and keeping their political parties in power and relevant.

Default-user-icon Yeah right (Guest) 12 January 2017, 21:34

Joumblat has a point there. The druze will no longer be capable of choosing who represents them. Even if you had a druze independent that gets 99% Druze support he wouldn't make it without satisfying the Muslim and Christian majority. If Christians want it fair and proportional, they wouldn't stick to the artificial 50% 50% split. They should accept that they are around 20%.But those christian commentors will refuse that and stick to their privileges while aiming to marginalize other minorities.