Report: Berri Adheres to Law Proposal that Includes Creation of Senate

Speaker Nabih Berri affirmed adherence to a new electoral law format he presented last week, stressing that he “will not change one single character,” in his proposal, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Monday.

“I suggested the format being the best way out. It is in their hands and I adhere to it as it is. I will not change one single character,” Berri told his visitors on Sunday.

Berri lamented how some political parties tend to obstruct an agreement on a new law for the upcoming parliamentary elections, “the performance of some shows that they only care about putting sticks in the wheels. I wonder where do they plan to take the country to with their sectarian and inciting rhetoric.”

However, the Speaker pointed out that a number of deliberations are taking place before the cabinet convenes on Thursday.

Berri proposed the creation of a senate as part of efforts to resolve the electoral law crisis. He called for forming a body consisted of 32 Muslim senators and 32 Christian senators and for allocating its presidency to the Druze community.

“Should an agreement be reached on allocating its chairmanship to the Greek Orthodox community, the Druze community would be given either the deputy speaker post or the deputy premier post,” reports quoted Berri as saying.

Berri's proposal calls for electing a senate under a sectarian voting electoral system and a parliament under an electoral law fully based on proportional representation.