Proportional Representation in Limbo

Lebanese politicians seem to be heading towards a new showdown over the issue of proportional representation in the 2013 parliamentary elections after Druze leader Walid Jumblat called for keeping the current electoral system.

During an Iftar held in the Shouf over the weekend, Jumblat said: “It would be better to postpone discussions of proportionality and keep the status quo to preserve diversity and plurality.”

Ministerial sources told An Nahar daily published Monday that Jumblat’s stance worsened the shaky situation that the cabinet is witnessing.

The Progressive Socialist Party leader’s rejection of proportionality contradicts the stances of President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

The cabinet is already showing signs of division among the different members over a draft law that would allow Energy Minister Jebran Bassil to spend $1.2 billion dollars to build power plants that would generate 700 Megawatts of electricity.