Franjieh Meets Arslan: Parliament Will Vote on Orthodox Gathering Proposal

Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh stressed on Saturday that the rival parties will not reach common ground over the new electoral law, describing the Orthodox Gathering proposal as the draft-law that achieves better representation during the polls.'

“We are heading to vote on the Orthodox law at the parliament,” Franjieh said after holding talks with Lebanese Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan.

He reiterated his support to adopting an electoral law based on proportional representation.

Franjieh warned of the “power of money,” which he considered as “stronger” than the spread of arms.

For his part, Arslan pointed out that his ties with Franjieh are strong, pointing out that coordination and cooperation with the Christian leader is ongoing.

An electoral subcommittee is currently tasked with discussing a hybrid electoral draft law proposal that combines the winner-takes-all and proportional representation systems made by Speaker Nabih Berri.

The subcommittee has discussed several proposals, the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal, a draft-law that divides Lebanon into 50 districts based on a winner-takes-all system and a bill referred to parliament by the government and that calls for 13 districts based on proportionality.

The majority of the subcommittee's members have supported the Orthodox proposal which calls for a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system.

But al-Mustaqbal bloc, from the opposition, and the the Democratic Gathering of centrist MP Walid Jumblat have criticized it and stood firm in favor of a winner-takes-all system.