Naharnet

Zahra: FPM Seeking to Achieve Political Gains, Not Electoral Law

Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra slammed on Friday the Free Patriotic Movement's campaign against the party, saying that it is seeking to reach an agreement over a parliamentary electoral law that enjoys the consensus of all sides.

He said during a press conference in response to the FPM campaign: “The Movement is seeking to achieve political gains, not an agreement over an electoral law.”

“The LF is keen on Christians and the whole of Lebanon in that it seeks to fortify the entire country” and not just achieve personal interests, he explained.

It is therefore working on reaching an agreement over an electoral law that enjoys the consensus of all sides, added the MP.

Zahra accused the FPM of misleading the public, saying: “They promise the people with paradise and then hold others responsible for failing to reach it.”

He stated that the FPM is attempting to tarnish the image of the LF in order to make political gains for the elections, which will be held according to the 1960 law that has been rejected by all powers.

In addition, he lauded Speaker Nabih Berri on behalf of LF leader Samir Geagea for “his keenness to reach an electoral law that enjoys consensus.”

On the Orthodox Gathering electoral law, Zahra said the LF no longer supported it because it became clear to it that it can never be implemented.

“We will vote for the Orthodox Gathering law as a last resort if we fail to reach an agreement over another one,” he revealed.

“We will vote for it even though we know that it cannot be implemented,” he stressed.

The Orthodox draft considers Lebanon a single district and stipulates that each sect elects its own MPs under on a proportional representation system,.

The proposal was backed by the FPM, Marada Movement, Phalange Party, and LF.

It was rejected by President Michel Suleiman, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, the Mustaqbal Movement, MP Walid Jumblat's National Struggle Front, and the independent Christian March 14 lawmakers.

A parliament session that was scheduled for Wednesday to vote on the law was suspended due to a lack of quorum after those opposing the proposal announced that they will boycott the meeting.

FPM members have since slammed the move, accusing the LF of squandering the rights of Christians.


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