FPM Warns of 'Popular Rejection, Revolution' if No New Electoral Law

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The political bureau of the Free Patriotic Movement warned Monday of “popular rejection and revolution” should the political forces fail to approve a new electoral law.

“Failure to pass a new electoral law that ensures correct representation will impede the entire political life in the country, because the electoral law is the pillar of political stability and the main gateway for building the State,” the bureau said in a statement issued after its monthly meeting under FPM chief and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil.

“In this regard, the conferees urge all parties concerned to continue the positive, National Pact-conforming course that started with the election of President Michel Aoun and the formation of a national unity governance led by PM Saad Hariri through the approval of a new law and holding the parliamentary vote on time,” the politburo added.

“Any further delay would mean that this course is being halted and the FPM will not tolerate this and will confront it through its political and popular strength,” it went on to say.

The FPM's political bureau also cautioned that “some parties' desire to hold the elections under the 1960 law or seek a third extension of the incumbent parliament's term will create a justified popular rejection and revolution which the FPM will spearhead.”

Speaker Nabih Berri and Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq have announced that the country is likely headed to parliamentary elections under the controversial 1960 electoral law due to the parties' failure to agree on a new law.

Hizbullah has repeatedly called for an electoral law fully based on proportional representation but other political parties, especially al-Mustaqbal Movement and the Progressive Socialist Party, have rejected the proposal, arguing that Hizbullah's weapons would prevent serious competition in regions where the Iran-backed party has clout.

Mustaqbal, the Lebanese Forces and the PSP have meanwhile proposed a hybrid electoral law that mixes the proportional representation and the winner-takes-all systems. 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.

Comments 5
Thumb liberty 17 January 2017, 03:41

The political bureau of the Free Patriotic Movement warned Monday of “popular rejection and revolution” should the political forces fail to approve a new electoral law.

These populist cheap propagandists advocating a revolution?:) a revolution against who... the president is your boss, the prime minister was appointed by you, and the government was formed by you.

Thumb ex-fpm 17 January 2017, 07:16

roflmao!

Thumb ado.australia 17 January 2017, 16:16

Against the mafia families that refuse to give up control of the country...the speaker and powerful parliamentary leaders are trying to prevent too much change.

Thumb justin 17 January 2017, 08:44

ridiculous indeed

Default-user-icon Jon (Guest) 17 January 2017, 11:54

this basically announces the dissolution of the coalition that formed the current government.possibly even increased sectarian tensions since each religious group is basically asking for a different law that suits it better.
The only fair electoral law is one based on single member districts.
it's not that complicated:

5m (lebanese citizens in lebanon) + 1.2m (lebanese diaspora holding citizenship) = 6.2m

6.2m / 128 seats = 1 circonscription for each ~48500 citizens.

of which ~20% would be dedicated to represent the diaspora.

But unfortunately none of our political (non)representatives want to really find a solution.