Change and Reform: Maneuvers of Those Who Don't Want Strong President Have Ended with Failure
The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc on Tuesday accused certain parties of “maneuvering” in order to block the election of what it described as a “strong president.”
“All maneuvers have ended with failure and those who are trying to block any breakthrough do not want a strong president in line with the democratic standards and the National Pact,” said the bloc in a statement issued after its weekly meeting, in remarks about Wednesday's presidential election session.
The National Pact is a 1943 unwritten agreement that set the foundations of modern Lebanon as a multi-confessional state.
“We will voice a new stance after tomorrow's session,” the bloc added.
It stressed that “this significant and critical juncture” concerns all Lebanese.
“Bargains over the confessional, constitutional and legal rights are unacceptable and will not happen, and the suspension of the National Pact will not remain without a response,” Change and Reform cautioned.
Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Change and Reform, Hizbullah and some of their allies have been boycotting the electoral sessions.
Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri launched late in 2015 a proposal to nominate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency but his suggestion was rejected by the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah.
The Hizbullah-led March 8 camp as well as March 14's Lebanese Forces have argued that Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun is more eligible than Franjieh to become president given the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.
Y.R.
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