Gemayel Hints Electoral Law Crisis is Result of Hizbullah-Mustaqbal Differences
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel hinted on Sunday that the differences between the parliamentary blocs on an electoral draft-law were the result of the conflict between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement.
“The current crisis hides differences that go beyond the electoral law and paves way for discussions on the Lebanese (political) system in its entirety ... which is pushing the whole country to pay its price,” Gemayel told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in an interview.
“The problem in parliament goes beyond the 50 districts electoral draft-law or the Orthodox Gathering proposal or any other draft-law. It is about the winner-takes-all or proportional systems,” he said.
“The problem will not be resolved as long as al-Mustaqbal movement will not accept proportionality for fragmenting Sunni representation and Hizbullah and its allies will not accept the winner-takes-all system,” the former president said.
Gemayel expressed some optimism, saying “eventually a result will be achieved.”
But he warned that a new crisis could erupt in the country if the rival factions failed to agree on an electoral draft-law.
“It would be very easy for chaos to spread amid the proliferation of arms” throughout Lebanon, he told Asharq al-Awsat.
The Phalange along with the Lebanese Forces from the March 14 opposition have backed the Orthodox Gathering proposal that calls for a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs in a proportional representation system.
The Free Patriotic Movement and the Marada, two other Christian parties from the March 8 majority alliance, are already staunch supporters of the proposal.
But al-Mustaqbal and the centrist Progressive Socialist Party have rejected it for harming the social fabric.
In an attempt to appease their ally, the Phalange and the LF have reiterated that they are willing to discuss any other proposal that receives the backing of all factions to guarantee a fair representation for all the Lebanese.
Asked whether he carried out a mediation to limit the differences between the Phalange and the LF with their ally al-Mustaqbal, Gemayel said: “We keep contact with al-Mustaqbal movement and reiterate the necessity to preserve the March 14 alliance.”
“Unity amongst us is necessary to preserve Lebanon's sovereignty and the public interest,” he added.
Asked about his planned visit to France, Gemayel said he will discuss with top French officials, including President Francois Hollande the electoral draft-law stalemate, the Syrian refugees in Lebanon and the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on the country.
27 January 2013, 10:44
02
It is lamentable that we Lebanese still need to consult with the West or the East before taking any political decisions. I can't wait for the day when we are politically mature enough to make our own independent political decisions that take only the interest of the Lebanese into account.
It is only then that the world will respect us and treat us with dignity instead of dictate our future.
27 January 2013, 11:46
00
and what about this senile idiot in Rabieh...? And you Mr Kataeb who thinks that he is the only Christian that should represents the Christians in Lebanon...? Your senility rivals that of Aoun... it is time you get out of the public scene...
27 January 2013, 12:08
14
I would worry about syria's existence first. Most likely will be little syrias.
27 January 2013, 15:34
01
@ssnp01
Every dog is allowed one bite.
And remember,... Don't say amen to an unacceptable prayer.
27 January 2013, 14:55
03
you're representing yyour leader extremely well... same vocabulary that shows how smart and innovative you can be.
27 January 2013, 16:27
00
I know we have a Dr. Arreet 7akeh. Now we discover a Cheikh Arreet 7akeh! Congratulations to all of you, Drs. Arteena Satleh, followers of these two successful (ya 3ein) snake-oil salesmen.
27 January 2013, 16:49
00
Sidon93,
I am with you, and I believe no one should campaign for anyone outside his/her own sect. People should only be allowed to vote for 1 person of their sect to represent them, and then you select the candidates from each sect who scored the most in a proportional way that represents the Lebanese population. Do you think this would work?
Peace
27 January 2013, 17:02
01
You love Syria so much...go live there.....Lebanon is not and will never, ever, ever be part of Syria...get over it...never happen you clown...
27 January 2013, 17:05
00
SSNP is the biggest loser...no one pays attention anymore to SSNP...you did not know??
27 January 2013, 17:05
00
SSNP is the biggest loser...no one pays attention anymore to SSNP...you did not know??
27 January 2013, 20:37
00
@ SSNP, does your nickname still carry a meaning? u are as worthless and meaningless as a cockroach after beeing sprayed by poison, in your case , bachar the cockroach sprayed by the wind of change + some extremism that he helped to create because he didntt leave as soon as the crisis started.
On the Orthodox law, i think it is a good law and represent fairly every sect, and gives back to the christians their rights, although, even though im christian, i state cleary that this law is applicable for the moment because the country is divided, but it is not a law that builds a united country. It will divide more, it only gives a new breath of fresh air to christians but until a real solution is put to place.
28 January 2013, 09:42
00
HEY Skyfall (Guest)the only cockroach is you moron ,to the rest of you fags attacking the SSNP .Ta7ya Souriya.
God bless the greater Syria..
