Fatfat Criticizes Orthodox Gathering Electoral Law, Rejects Proportional Representation System
Mustaqbal MP Ahmed Fatfat lashed out at the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft law, considering that it produces an assembly for the “nation and not a parliament.”
“Representing all the sects is very important, but partnership is more crucial,” Fatfat said after holding talks with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki on Saturday.
Last week, the Christian four-party committee on the electoral law agreed to endorse the electoral system proposed by the so-called Orthodox Gathering, under which each sect would elect its own lawmakers.
But the proposal was criticized by President Michel Suleiman, Premier Najib Miqati, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, al-Mustaqbal Movement March 14 Independent Christian leaders and several other figures.
Fatfat, who is representing al-Mustaqbal movement at the electoral subcommittee meetings, pointed out that the March 14 alliance supports the small-sized electoral districts, expressing readiness to agree on any electoral law based on the winner-take all system and not proportional representation.
The March 14 Christian MPs suggested to divide Lebanon into 50 small-sized districts based on a winner-takes-all system, while a government’s proposal calls for dividing Lebanon into 13 medium districts based on proportional representation.
Concerning the Christian summit that was held on Friday night at Bkirki, the lawmaker described it as “essential.”
He noted that the summit indicates that there's an agreement that would have the support of all the rival parties.
Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel and Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh attended the Christian summit under the auspices of al-Rahi.
However, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea was absent over security threats.
The gatherers agreed that their primary choice will be the Orthodox Gathering proposal should an agreement over another law fail to be reached.
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