Jumblat Rejects Electoral Draft-Law Approved by Non-Sovereign State

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat slammed on Wednesday the government’s adoption of a new electoral law in the absence of a single sovereign state that enjoys the decision of war and peace.

In remarks to several newspapers, Jumblat said: “The electoral law cannot be discussed calmly in a tense sectarian atmosphere and in the absence of a single authority and a single state.”

“This and any other law should come through a single authority that defends, liberates and legislates,” he said. “This issue should have been discussed under a state that enjoys sovereignty on all its territories and the decision of war and peace.”

“Electoral laws that seek to impose some political parties on others can’t provide stability,” Jumblat told the newspapers in reference to the Hizbullah-led March 8 coalition that forms the majority of Premier Najib Miqati’s cabinet.

The new electoral draft-law is based on proportional representation and divides Lebanon to 13 districts in the 2013 parliamentary elections although it is not likely to be approved once referred to the parliament.

Asked how his National Struggle Front bloc would react once the bill reaches the legislature, the Druze leader said: “We will hear the other suggestions and support the right dialogue.”

Some sects will feel that the draft-law is not doing them justice and this “will create hatred,” he told the dailies.

Jumblat also rejected the way districts were divided after putting al-Shouf and Aley in one district, saying: “I reject it out of the logic of balance and the respect of the other’s will because putting Aley and al-Shouf together would make the other confessions feel the unfairness.”

“As a representative of part of the Druze (sect) I don’t want to cause the remaining Lebanese in the Mountains to feel that way,” he added.