Jumblat: Fully Prepared for Law Discussions other than 'Qualification' Format

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat emphasized that he strongly rejects a cabinet vote on an electoral law and the “sectarian” qualification law format, asserting that Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was right when he said that the country is on the verge of an abyss, ad-Diyar daily reported on Thursday.

Asked about a cabinet vote on an electoral law, Jumblat told the daily in an interview: “We have foiled an option on voting through an intercepting plan. Sayyed Nasrallah has asserted that the election law is very sensitive and can only be solved through consensus.

“His words fell in the right place, and I agree with him when he said that the country is standing on the verge of the abyss and its salvation requires agreement and compromise. His proposal was not only in harmony with me (perceptions) but with everyone else,” said the MP.

In a speech on Tuesday, Nasrallah stressed that his party is not seeking to “impose” the proportional representation electoral system on the country, while warning that Lebanon is “on the brink of the abyss” regarding the issue of the electoral law.

Jumblat cautioned that the “pressing” political situation is not the only factor that requires consensus among political parties, but the economic-monetary indicators are also very dangerous and must be taken into consideration, according to the daily.

Asked whether he is ready to approve a law proposal presented by the government of Najib Miqati, he said: “I am open to all suggestions but not the qualification one. I am ready to discuss the proportional representation system. I repeat, everything can be subject for discussion except the qualification project.

Miqati's proportional representation proposal divides Lebanon into 13 or 15 districts. While the qualification system proposed by Free Patriotic Movement and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil calls for “sectarian” voting in the first round.

Jumblat's comments came on the eve of a cabinet meeting set for Thursday to discuss an electoral law draft, including other items on the agenda.

In that regard, Jumblat criticized sarcastically saying: “I have noticed that the cabinet agenda includes around 40 travel items, and the cost is borne by the treasury, of course,” he grinned, “What activity and vitality! The whole Republic is traveling abroad, and this shows how much they are interested in the affairs of the citizen ...”