Al-Rahi Demands New Electoral Law to Preserve Equality, Better Represents All Sides
The Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi is reportedly demanding a new electoral law that respects equality, parity and a better representation of all sides, the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Anbaa reported on Sunday.
According to the daily, al-Rahi discussed his three red lines with Kataeb MP Sami Gemayel, who recently visited Bkirki.
Sources told the newspaper that Bkirki is keen to push forward the adoption of an electoral law that respects these principles, but will not interfere in any technical details.
An 11-member parliamentary subcommittee tasked with discussing several electoral law proposal kicked off meetings recently, in light of the extension of the parliament’s tenure, in an attempt to reach consensus over a hybrid electoral draft law.
The March 8 and 14 alliances are represented in the committee, which was granted a one-month ultimatum by Speaker Nabih Berri to reach consensus.
In May 2013, the parliament voted to extend its own mandate for 17 months after the rival political parties failed to reach a deal on a new electoral law other than the one based on 50 small-sized districts in a winner-takes-all system.
Lawmakers also deepened the political deadlock in the country after they voted once again to delay elections and announced they would extend their mandate until 2017, which was met by a huge popular dismay.
Most blocs have announced their rejection to the 1960 electoral law that is based on a winner-takes-all system. It was used in the 2009 elections.
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