Jumblat Criticizes al-Mustaqbal over Suspension of Poll Deadlines
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat criticized al-Mustaqbal bloc for taking part in drafting a law that was approved by parliament on Wednesday to suspend deadlines applicable under the 1960 electoral law until May 19.
“Those who have such allies don't need any foes,” Jumblat told As Safir newspaper in remarks published Thursday.
Jumblat's National Struggle Front boycotted Wednesday's parliamentary session claiming that the suspension of the deadlines are unconstitutional.
The draft-law set the deadline for submitting nominations to three weeks before the June 16 elections date.
It also stipulates that the deadline for withdrawing candidacies is 15 days ahead of the polls, rather than 45.
“The National Struggle Front boycotted the session out of its keenness on the constitution,” Jumblat told As Safir, saying that the term “suspension of deadlines” is unconstitutional given that the 1960 law is still valid.
The Druze leader warned that parliament's endorsement of the draft-law could pave way to the adoption of the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal or to an indefinite extension of parliament’s term.
“Both cases would be disastrous,” he said.
The Orthodox proposal, which Jumblat totally rejects, considers Lebanon a single electoral district and calls for each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system.
Later in the day, Jumblat's caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour held talks with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh.
“We will continue consultations to reach an agreement over a electoral law and the formation of the cabinet,” the minister told reporters after the meeting.
Despite Jumblat's criticism of al-Mustaqbal, the bloc's sources told As Safir that their relations were not shaken.
Al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Ammar Houri also appeased Jumblat's fears, saying the 1960 law would be brought back to life after May 19 if the rival parties failed to agree on a new vote law.
The suspension of the deadlines until May 19 should be seen as “a timeframe to speed up the adoption of the new electoral law,” he said.
11 April 2013, 08:34
23
Lebanon's "Undertaker" has spoken. Finding himself increasingly marginalized after one political betrayal after another Jumblat is crying about loyalty.
Both M8 and M14 are trying to cut Jumby out of the picture after it has become clear that doing business with the devil reaps only bitter disappointment ...
Whatever election Law is approved there is no doubt that the implications for the PSP are dire. There will not be a total consensus over the law but M8 and M14 may find they don't need Walid.
11 April 2013, 10:58
21
to punks like you, the world revolves around a few idiots in downtown beirut doing basically nothing other than robbing the treasury and the poor lebanese tax payer ..oh yeah they are called MP's
i find lebanese or phonecian people attractively funny, brainless and of course with zero courage
11 April 2013, 12:39
20
when it comes to science, technology engineering and innovation..it is always a lebnoozee who led the way ..which i find ludicrous to say the least..
You ever took a close look at your cities ....like they say --good from far but far from good.. yikes !!
11 April 2013, 16:47
00
What else is new about this flip flop who treats everybody, and I repeat: EVERYBODY, with a flip flop? With such EVERYBODY, they actually deserve worse treatment that only low lives really deserve.
11 April 2013, 19:31
10
You're such an important worldly figure with taste in the fine arts and access to big politics and ties with known figures yet you waste your time on Naharnet. How stupid do you think we are? Get over yourself.
11 April 2013, 19:36
10
Monsieur Jumblat, never liked you or trusted you and didn't much care what you did. You are a relic of a time long passed. You probably are the only politician left in Lebanon with the mentality of a warlord, with the exception of le petit prince Frangieh of course...may you all be swept away to the see so fresh talent can take your place and possibly take Lebanon from a third world country to a 21st century paradise....bunch of merciless thugs with no love for Lebanon whatsoever.
