Geagea Believes 'Red Lines' on Law Agreement Won't be Crossed

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea said he believes that political parties will not cross the deadlines set to agree on an electoral law, pointing out that the actual deadline is when the parliament's term ends in June, the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat daily reported on Saturday.

“The media is concerned but I am not worried. The actual red line is not May 15, but June 20, that is when the term of the parliament effectively ends. We have made deliberations in all directions. I believe that everyone realizes now how critical the situation is. Before we reach the red lines there will be an agreement on a new law,” Geagea told the daily in an interview.

The LF leader pointed out that options are now varying between adopting a “hybrid law, a fully proportional representation system or something in between.”

“No matter what format will be agreed, there will be elections at the beginning of autumn unless other calculated circumstances emerge,” he added.

Whether the LF would accept a technical term extension of the parliament if an agreement fails, Geagea: “I can't foretell what will our stance be. But my personal conviction is that we will reach an election law.”

The country has not organized parliamentary elections since 2009 and the legislature has instead twice extended its own mandate. The last polls were held under an amended version of the 1960 electoral law.

An anticipated parliament meeting is set to be held on May 15 where the parliament might extend its term once again if parties fail to reach a consensual agreement on a voting system that will rule the upcoming polls.

Several political parties have reiterated that a term extension, vacuum at the legislative authority and keeping the country's current 1960 majoritarian electoral system are all rejected.

Several law proposals were presented but none have so far been consensually agreed.