Berri Slams March 14, Says Formation of Cabinet Not Linked to Electoral Law

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Speaker Nabih Berri denied on Friday that the March 8 alliance is linking the formation of the government with the drafting of the new electoral law, urging Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam to discuss with all the major political parties the distribution of the portfolios.

“Achieving any progress in the formation of the government will have a positive impact on us and would facilitate reaching an agreement on the electoral law and vice versa,” Berri said in comments to newspapers.

Berri and his March 8 allies are calling for a national unity cabinet. But the March 14 coalition wants a government whose members are neither political figures nor running in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

On Wednesday, Salam urged leaders to facilitate the formation of his government, reiterating rejection to the monopolization of portfolios by a single sect.

The speaker told al-Joumhouria newspaper that he received positive signs concerning the efforts exerted by Salam on the distribution of portfolios.

“The constitution is clear regarding the representation in the government,” Berri said.

Concerning the electoral subcommittee meeting on Thursday, the AMAL movement leader praised in comments to An Nahar newspaper Hizbullah MP Ali Fayyad's statements that the party is ready to approve any draft-law that the Christian parties agree on.

The electoral subcommittee agreed to hold the next round of talks on Tuesday, its third meeting since it resumed sessions earlier in the week in a last-ditch effort to agree on a controversial vote law.

Berri slammed some March 14 parties after describing Fayyad's statements as a new maneuver, saying: “I reject such analysis.”

He considered that the lawmaker's proposal is an opportunity to reach common ground on the new electoral law.

Comments 7
Thumb geha 19 April 2013, 08:13

m8 does not want a cabinet where they do not have the upper hand. they prefer to delay by 2 years the elections to keep the status quo.
they cannot afford to loose power at this stage.
they are trying to convince KSA to extend the parliament for 2 years otherwise we will have a civil war.

Thumb banima3roof 19 April 2013, 18:16

berri the mobster is full of it. he is trying to save face. march 8 neither wants a cabinet nor parliamentary elections. they can care less about the people. if anything, they are in a better position to steal now in the government as there is less checks and balances!

Default-user-icon mustapha o. ghalayini (Guest) 19 April 2013, 15:37

esteez is waiting like all his tribe for the battle of HOMS to clear,it is raging in a ferocious way and tens of thousands of warriors are in direct confrontation...this battle will decide bilad el sham future.
even the administrator knows that the decision is there,not in the gvmt or what we used to call electoral law

Thumb mouallek 19 April 2013, 19:02

Bon appétit, messieurs !
Ô ministres intègres !
Conseillers vertueux! Voilà votre façon
De servir, serviteurs qui pillez la maison !
Donc vous n'avez pas honte et vous choisissez l'heure,
L'heure sombre où l'Espagne agonisante pleure !
Donc vous n'avez ici pas d'autres intérêts
Que remplir votre poche et vous enfuir après !
Soyez flétris, devant votre pays qui tombe,
Fossoyeurs qui venez le voler dans sa tombe !

Victor Hugo, Ruy Blas, éternel d'actualité...

Thumb primesuspect 19 April 2013, 19:21

sounds nice Mouallek, I had to use google translate but it didn't rhime in Spanish.

Missing peace 19 April 2013, 19:39

why does M8 bother who will be in the next gvt? it is only for 2 months!!! so YES they should be nominated to ensure the elections but it seems M8 do not want ANY elections to be held....

as they are SO sure to win the elections then they will form the gvt they want AFTER the elections no? => it proves M8 do not want the elections to be held... afraid of losing them maybe....

so stupid M8ers....

Thumb andre.jabbour 19 April 2013, 22:18

But you're forced to do it. There are barriers to entry for newcomers. Basically it's not accessible.... + they have weapons to deter honest working people that would be much better politicians.