FPM Warns of 'Popular Rejection, Revolution' if No New Electoral Law

The political bureau of the Free Patriotic Movement warned Monday of “popular rejection and revolution” should the political forces fail to approve a new electoral law.

“Failure to pass a new electoral law that ensures correct representation will impede the entire political life in the country, because the electoral law is the pillar of political stability and the main gateway for building the State,” the bureau said in a statement issued after its monthly meeting under FPM chief and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil.

“In this regard, the conferees urge all parties concerned to continue the positive, National Pact-conforming course that started with the election of President Michel Aoun and the formation of a national unity governance led by PM Saad Hariri through the approval of a new law and holding the parliamentary vote on time,” the politburo added.

“Any further delay would mean that this course is being halted and the FPM will not tolerate this and will confront it through its political and popular strength,” it went on to say.

The FPM's political bureau also cautioned that “some parties' desire to hold the elections under the 1960 law or seek a third extension of the incumbent parliament's term will create a justified popular rejection and revolution which the FPM will spearhead.”

Speaker Nabih Berri and Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq have announced that the country is likely headed to parliamentary elections under the controversial 1960 electoral law due to the parties' failure to agree on a new law.

Hizbullah has repeatedly called for an electoral law fully based on proportional representation but other political parties, especially al-Mustaqbal Movement and the Progressive Socialist Party, have rejected the proposal, arguing that Hizbullah's weapons would prevent serious competition in regions where the Iran-backed party has clout.

Mustaqbal, the Lebanese Forces and the PSP have meanwhile proposed a hybrid electoral law that mixes the proportional representation and the winner-takes-all systems. Berri has also proposed a hybrid law.

The country has not voted for a parliament since 2009, with the legislature instead twice extending its own mandate.

The 2009 polls were held under an amended version of the 1960 electoral law and the next elections are scheduled for May 2017.