Report: 1960 Electoral Law, the 'Lesser of Two Evils'

W460

The calls of Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi to re-endorse the 1960 electoral law, must be taken into consideration so as to avoid the formation of a military government if Lebanon fails to approve a new voting system that could push it into a parliamentary vacuum, media reports said on Monday.

“Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has informed the related authorities that he rejects vacuum at the legislative authority because it only means disruption of the constitutional process,” unnamed political sources told the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa daily.

Quoting the same sources, the newspaper said: “Those pinning hopes on vacuum, deliberated the idea of forming a military government similar to what happened at the end of President Amin Gemayel's term who formed a military government led by General Michel Aoun, and before that during the term of President Suleiman Franjieh where a military government led by Nour Eddine al-Rifai was formed.”

The sources noted that the said military governments were defined “before the establishment of the Taef Constitution, which charted the way to the formation of governments in a different way.”

In order to avoid such misfortunes, they pointed out to “al-Rahi's proposal to re-endorse the 1960 law being the lesser of two evils.”

Last week, al-Rahi considered the controversial 1960 electoral law as the alternative to another extension of parliament's term.

The country has not organized parliamentary elections since 2009 and the legislature has instead twice extended its own mandate. The last polls were held under an amended version of the 1960 electoral law.

SourceNaharnet
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