Geagea Accuses March 8 of 'Deliberately' Boycotting Parliamentary Session, Violating Constitution
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Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea lashed out on Thursday at the March 8 alliance, accusing it of “intentionally obstructing the presidential elections.”
“Some are stating that boycotting the parliamentary sessions to elect a president is a right guaranteed by the constitution but that's not true,” Geagea said in a press conference held at his residence in Maarab.
“They are cheating the Lebanese people,” the Christian leader remarked.
He pointed out that “boycotting the sessions is an exceptional right during exceptional circumstances but cannot be used to obstruct the parliamentary sessions set to elect a new head of state.”
The presidential hopeful told reporters that he will not “compromise over his candidacy.”
Geagea said that the March 8 alliance is accusing the March 14 coalition of obstructing the sessions because it is holding onto his candidacy.
“It would be better if they support any candidate and result in loss through the ballots,” Geagea added.
The LF chief held the March 8 Christians responsible for the delay in electing a new president, saying: “We have no other choice but to continue our battle.”
He called on lawmakers to attend the sessions as “there is no intention to amend the constitution to renew President Michel Suleiman's term despite our positive opinion of him.”
Any attempt to keep the president in power requires a constitutional amendment by the two-thirds majority of the 128-member parliament.
By law, if no president has been chosen by the last 10 days of the incumbent's mandate, parliament cannot meet for legislative sessions except to elect a new president.
That means, starting on Thursday, legislative action will grind to a halt.
“We will not be able to agree on a single candidate that's why voting must take place,” Geagea stressed.
He slammed attempts by the other political group to block the elections, which is seeking to push forward the election of its candidate or else vacuum will occur.
Thursday's parliamentary session faced the similar fate of its predecessor.
The first presidential elections session was held on April 23, but neither Geagea nor Democratic Gathering MP Henri Helou garnered the necessary 86 votes to emerge victorious.
Two other sessions were supposed to be held, but they failed over lack of quorum after a March 8 camp boycott on the ongoing disagreement over a candidate.
H.K.
M.T.
15 May 2014, 14:18
513
Dr. Geagea is no longer a Christian leader. He is a national charismatic leader who has conquered the hearts of all true and honorable lebanese.
15 May 2014, 14:35
511
Well, I wonder which god is better ? The all-mighty Hezbollah God carrying a Kalashnikov ?
What god is sooooo weak to carry a Kalashnikov ? A FAKE GOD !
Divine victories honik charglé ! Biggest fail in Hezbollah's history as they credit themselves with victories when their enemies just stopped paying attention to them...
15 May 2014, 22:20
13
@FD : religion are fairy tales to me too... but then why are you supporting Kezb ALLAH and all their religious crap and fairy tales ?
16 May 2014, 15:55
11
Anti-imperialism ? you make me laugh. Hezbollah is Iran's attempt at imperialism and taking over the region. You being blind to it doesn't mean its not happening.
15 May 2014, 15:42
114
When I listen to people making Geagea sound like he's some hero or a god-like figure it makes me laugh. It leads me to believe that such statements cannot be made by anyone aged over 25. People who have experienced Geagea in a position of power would most certainly disagree with you.
Just because he's against hizbullah doesn't make him a saint or a man of values, integrity or principle.
Geagea can never become president because the number will not add up. Whether or not there is quorum Geagea will not be elected unless a deal with Jumblat over the matter occurs. Anyone who knows anything about history knows Jumblat would never vote in Geagea's favour.
15 May 2014, 17:53
23
Such talk, while true, is largely useless as a means to move the ball down the field and get an election. There should be behind the scenes talks between the principals to arrive at a mutually acceptable candidate among the Christian political parties. This was to have been Patriarch Rahi's job to get the consensus Lebanese Christian candidate and to get all of the principals to sign off of the one candidate. If this does not happen, the Christians have only themselves to blame for losing their symbolic Presidential seat to the vacuum. It will go from an empty suit in the chair to just an empty chair.
15 May 2014, 21:33
12
Tex, I got that a Looong time ago. You will note that I wrote "there should be" behind the scenes talks going on. Of course, there is not for the very reason that you have stated. Rahi was charged with overcoming this situation that everyone anticipated, and so far he has failed to do so. It could be due to the fact that he is employing the wrong tactic, the wrong strategy or because trying to dissuade Aoun from doing what he was doing was a fools errand from the get go.
15 May 2014, 18:53
24
So the Democrats and the Republicans have to agree one one candidate prior so they can elections.
What planet do you live on?
why not let Lebanon become a dictatorship if that is how it should be played?
What is point of a democracy then?
15 May 2014, 19:49
25
Taqiya-Thrower..... you are a bold face liar and propagandist. MP's from M14 plus Independent MP's equal 68 total, and only 65 votes needed to elect a president. M8 agreement is NOT needed to reach 65 votes you liar.
1. 65 votes neded
2. 58 MP's in M14
3. 10 MP's are independents, not aligned with M8
16 May 2014, 01:00
13
the best thing about geagea's candidacy is that it drives M8ers mad and crazy... priceless!
