Gemayel Rejects Adoption of 1960 Law, Describes it as 'Heresy'

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel stressed on Thursday that his party will not allow any electoral law to be adopted at the expense of true partnership and the Christian representation, describing the 1960 law as a “heresy.”

“Unfortunately, some Christian powers are accomplices in marginalizing Christians and weakening their role in Lebanon,” Gemayel said.

He considered it's a “crime” that Christians are missing the chance to have a fair electoral law.

“We will exert efforts to unite the Christians,” Gemayel stated.

The Christian leader said that his party is holding onto the Christians right to be better represented in the upcoming parliamentary elections “for full partnership, unity, stability and local peace... And we refuse to have at the expense of Muslims.”

On Wednesday, Speaker Nabih Berri said that the parliament’s term will be extended to Nov, 20 2014.

A parliamentary session is set to be held on Friday to vote on the timeframe of extension.

Despite a support to extend the parliament's mandate, the caretaker cabinet decided to hold the polls on June 16 under the 1960 law by forming the authority that would supervise the elections and allocating funds for the interior ministry to organize the event.

The majority of the political blocs have voiced their rejection of the adoption of the amended version of the 1960 electoral law that was used in the 2009 elections.

This has not however prevented officials from submitting their candidacies to the elections based on this law in order to prevent uncontested victories.

Gemayel expressed support to President Michel Suleiman, calling on the political powers to reject carrying out elections based on the 1960 law.