Optimism after New al-Mustaqbal Hybrid Vote Law Proposal

A parliamentary subcommittee discussed on Tuesday a hybrid draft-law proposal made by al-Mustaqbal bloc, a move that was lauded as a step forward to reach consensus on a new law ahead of this year’s elections.

Al-Mustaqbal MP Ahmed Fatfat announced after the subcommittee meeting that the bloc remains committed to an initiative announced by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

But he stressed that al-Mustaqbal proposed a hybrid draft-law for 70 percent of MPs to be elected under the winner-takes-all system and the rest under the proportional representation system out of its keenness on holding the elections on time.

Hariri had called for a small-district law for the polls and for the establishment of a senate representing all religions and sects as stipulated by the Taef agreement.

The hybrid proposal was first made by MP Ali Bazzi from Speaker Nabih Berri's parliamentary Liberation and Development bloc to appease Lebanon's different factions that were divided between those supporting the winner-takes-all and proportionality systems.

Al-Mustaqbal's proposal on Tuesday was hailed by its ally the Lebanese Forces as a step forward.

LF MP George Adwan said following the subcommittee meeting that “things have now become easier” after Fatfat made a suggestion on the hybrid draft-law.

He stressed the nine members of the subcommittee believe that elections would only be held based on a new law.

The lawmaker also expressed belief that they are capable of reaching an agreement by Friday and referring the draft-law to the joint parliamentary committees to study it.

The highly optimistic MP said that only details were left to be dealt with by the members of the subcommittee, which is set to meet again on Tuesday afternoon as the deadline for the expiry of its mission on Friday approached.

Its chairman MP Robert Ghanem said the subcommittee also discussed two other proposals made by the Progressive Socialist Party representative, MP Akram Shehayyeb, and Bazzi to introduce amendments to them.

“We want the interest of Lebanon first to guarantee the interest of all other factions and parties,” he told reporters.

An Nahar daily had said that Phalange MP Sami Gemayel and Adwan are expected to make their own proposals in the coming two days.

A suggestion made on Monday by Shehayyeb from the National Struggle Front bloc of PSP chief Walid Jumblat was rejected by the nine-member subcommittee for failing to comply with the five standards of the hybrid draft-law.

The standards include the fair representation of Christians and Muslims, a balance between the March 8 and 14 alliances, the adoption of minimum 26 districts in the winner-takes-all system and 5-10 districts in the proportional system.

Shehayyeb reportedly proposed 64 percent of the seats be based on a majority system.

While Bazzi suggested an equal distribution of seats between the proportional and winner-takes-all systems.