Mustaqbal Dismisses 'Christian Poll' Idea as Attempt to 'Invent New Norms'

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday reiterated its call for the speedy election of a new president, warning against any attempt to “invent new legal norms” in this regard.

“The priority remains the speedy election of a president, which must be the top priority in this critical period that Lebanon and the region are going through,” said the bloc in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

“It is necessary to abide by the Constitution and refrain from inventing new legal norms that would obstruct the election of a new president,” it added.

As a suggestion to resolve the presidential crisis, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun has recently proposed organizing a survey to determine which Christian party or parties are the most influential in the country. His idea has garnered the support of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh amid reservations by the Kataeb Party.

But Mustaqbal stressed Tuesday that efforts must be exerted to elect a president through a parliamentary vote, describing it as “the only constitutional mechanism.”

The bloc also urged adherence to “Article 27 of the Constitution,” saying it “makes every MP a representative of the entire nation” and “stipulates that Lebanese lawmakers should not be confined by any restrictions or conditions as they perform their duties.”

Aoun's Change and Reform bloc had noted earlier in the day that the suggested survey would “mark a positive precedent in Lebanon and serve as a reminder that the people exist.”

“The disregard of the people has led us to the situation that we are in now,” Change and Reform said.

Commenting on Prime Minister Tammam Salam's call for a Thursday cabinet session, Mustaqbal voiced support for his move, pointing out that it comes after “premeditated obstruction that was practiced by several political parties.”

It accused those parties of “harming the interests of Lebanese citizens and subjecting them to futile adventures over personal and family interests.”

Y.R.

M.T.