Geagea: FPM Only Wants to Harm Jumblat, Mustaqbal, instead of Seeking Christian Electoral Interests
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated on Friday that the government proposal over the parliamentary electoral law and the one suggested by the MPs Georges Adwan, Sami Gemayel, and Butros Harb are the best current offers on the matter, saying that the Free Patriotic Movement has to choose one of them.
He said during a press conference: “The FPM however is more concerned with harming the interests of the Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat and the Mustaqbal Movement to take into consideration Christian concerns in the elections.”
He said that the FPM is currently in a position of power where it holds sway over which law can be adopted.
The LF leader also voiced his opposition to the 1960 electoral law, which he said is “very unjust.”
“All sides must realize that there can be no return to the 1960 law,” stressed Geagea.
Adwan, Gemayel, and Harb had proposed on Thursday a draft electoral law based on 50 electoral districts.
The opposition has asserted that this law offers Christians with the best representation, adding that it enjoys Bkirki's implicit approval.
The government approved in August an electoral law based on proportional representation and 13 districts.
“Any new law should achieve proper representation and the proposal we made guarantees that a majority of MPs would be elected, as stipulated by the Taef accord,” continued Geagea.
“We are seeking a law that achieves the best representation and does not harm the interests of Hizbullah or AMAL,” he added.
On claims that the March 14 proposal only bolsters sectarianism, he asked: “Does the election of Walid Sukkariyeh, Emile Rahmeh, and Oqab Saqr bolster sectarianism?”
“The adoption of smaller districts weakens sectarianism,” he stressed.
In addition, he noted that smaller districts allow candidates of relatively modest means to run in the parliamentary elections, which are set for 2013.
A draft law based on small districts ensures the election of 56 or 57 Christian MPs, while the government proposal allows the election of 46 or 47 lawmakers.
Jumblat has not completely closed the door on discussions over small districts, Geagea revealed.
Source: Naharnet
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