Aoun Says Proportional Representation 'Achieves Justice' among Citizens

President Michel Aoun on Tuesday noted that an electoral law based on proportional representation would “achieve justice” among the country's citizens.

During a meeting in Baabda with a Druze delegation led by ex-MP Faisal al-Daoud, Aoun said “his insistence on approving a new electoral law based on proportional representation that allows minorities to be represented -- whether they are religious or political minorities – is not aimed at allowing a group to defeat another but rather to allow all Lebanese to take part in governance and the national decision,” state-run National News Agency said.

“We are people of various religions, sects and parties, but we are keen on national unity, coexistence and eliminating rights discrimination among citizens, that' why justice must be achieved between the sects,” Aoun added.

“Today I'm encouraging the approval of an electoral law that allows everyone to be represented, especially minorities,” the president went on to say.

Hizbullah has repeatedly called for an electoral law fully based on proportional representation but al-Mustaqbal Movement and Druze leader MP Walid Jumblat have both rejected the proposal.

Mustaqbal argues that Hizbullah's arms would prevent serious competition in the party's strongholds while Jumblat has warned that such an electoral system would “marginalize” the minority Druze community whose presence is concentrated in the Chouf and Aley areas.

The political parties are meanwhile discussing a so-called hybrid electoral law that mixes proportional representation with the winner-takes-all system.