Jumblat Ready to Discuss 'Positive' Electoral Proposals, Reiterates Call for Dialogue
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat announced on Wednesday that he was ready to discuss any “positive” proposal on an electoral draft-law that would govern this year's parliamentary polls.
In remarks to As Safir daily, Jumblat said he was ready to discuss any “positive electoral idea” without giving further details.
The Druze leader has refused the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal which envisages a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a system of proportional representation, saying it harms the Lebanese social fabric.
He has also criticized a draft-law proposed by the government which calls for 13 districts and proportionality.
In his remarks Wednesday, Jumblat reiterated his warning that the region surrounding Lebanon is similar to a volcano, saying “we should avoid its lava.”
He also warned the rival March 8 majority and March 14 opposition alliances against believing that they could vanquish the other through an electoral formula that is in the making.
A parliamentary subcommittee has been holding daily meetings to find common ground on an electoral draft-law. But each party seems to be holding onto its stance and refusing to make concessions to meet halfway.
MP Akram Shehayyeb, who is representing the centrist PSP in the meetings of the subcommittee, reiterated on Monday his party's demand for the formation of a senate and the implementation of administrative decentralization.
Describing the elections as “transitory,” Jumblat called for “finding national consensus after the polls.”
In an interview with Voice of Russia, Jumblat called for exerting every effort to prevent the spread of Syria's war to Lebanon.
“The resumption of dialogue among the different political parties is also necessary,” he said.
“Some forces reject dialogue thinking for some reason that they are capable of deciding Lebanon's future alone,” Jumblat said about the March 14 opposition.
He described Suleiman as a wise man, lauding his efforts along with Prime Minister Najib Miqati to preserve the country's stability.
23 January 2013, 08:55
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Someone like you should go personally and help the FSA free their country. who knows the Lebanese might get lucky to be free too.
23 January 2013, 10:12
00
Mr Joumblat
its natural and since the syrian regime is weakenning all the lebanese muppets who gained power by and during syrian regime will have to pay
and btw Mr JOUMBLAT great leaders are not affraid of any kind of electoral law unless he is confiscating power from others even from el jinss el 3atel as you called them
el jinss el 3atel wants its rights you want it or not
god bless lebanon
23 January 2013, 10:44
10
eff... those inefficient politicians who always make a fuss at each elections to find the best law that would suit their ambitions while they forget about the REAL issues of the citizens!
eff them ALL along with their blind supporters repeating their stupidities!
23 January 2013, 11:05
11
well thank you for being READY walid bek , but last time i checked i was you job as an MP to be ready at all time , is it why you are getting a salary from the government? should we say thank you too?
23 January 2013, 12:07
00
its his game/strategy...he always plays with time...berri plays billiardo,he like fishing by the river.
23 January 2013, 13:06
11
the smartest and most interesting political figure lebanon has and will ever see. you can all die in envy..
23 January 2013, 14:15
11
being sectarian and thinking of his own interest makes him small . A smart political figure is one that makes smart moves for the nation , however definetly walid jumblatt his a smart druze individual , he makes smart moves for him self first , and his community second . He doesn't care about Lebanon. I wish he was bigger than this, like his dad , he could have been , but he chose to stay small .
23 January 2013, 23:29
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ssnp when reading your comments , one can only understand why walid bek has to count on dispicable ways to keep his power. If his crowd and supporter are like you , he can't count on your IQ obviously . Long live walid bek for realizing it .
