Berri Adheres to Parliament’s Role, Says Boycott of Legislative Sessions is Contrary to Democracy
Speaker Nabih Berri held onto parliament's legislative role, including a session next week aimed at discussing the public sector wage scale, despite a threat by Christian lawmakers to boycott sessions.
In remarks carried by local newspapers on Friday, Berri said: “I hold onto the legislative process and the May 27 session.”
The failure to approve the pay hike next Tuesday would infuriate the public sector and likely lead to the boycott of official exams.
“I don't want to create a precedence that would contribute to the paralysis of the parliament and its role under various excuses, including the vacuum in the presidency,” he said.
“When I feel that a session is unconstitutional, then I would not call for it,” Berri was quoted as saying.
“Anyone who wants to boycott (parliament) is free to do so. But non attendance will be contrary to democracy and political life in the country,” he added.
“Who said I am glad for having a vacancy in the presidential post?” the speaker asked.
The Christian parties' plan to boycott legislative sessions comes after parliament failed to elect a new president Thursday in the fifth round of the polls that was seen as a last-ditch effort to pick a new head of state before the expiry of President Michel Suleiman's six-year term on Sunday.
The election could not take place because the majority of the March 8 alliance's lawmakers boycotted the session.
Berri reiterated that he would call on MPs to attend a session at any time that rivals agree on a consensual candidate.
“What's the point of keeping the MPs daily at parliament if there is no agreement on guaranteeing quorum?” he asked.
Berri, who is also the head of the AMAL movement, said he would call for regular parliamentary sessions a few days after the expiry of Suleiman's term if a new president was not elected by Sunday.
“The problem is not with parliament, but with politicians who have failed to agree on a candidate,” he added.
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