Mustaqbal: Orthodox Gathering Law Transforms People into Sectarian Tribes
The Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc renewed on Tuesday its rejection of a parliamentary electoral law based on proportional representation, while also rejecting the Orthodox Gathering draft electoral law, saying that it fuels sectarianism in Lebanon.
It said in a statement after its weekly meeting: “The Orthodox Gathering law transforms the people into sectarian tribes.”
“The bloc considers Lebanon to be a country of mutual coexistence between Muslims and Christians … and it therefore completely rejects discussions over any law that contradicts this coexistence and the principles of the civil state,” it added.
“The bloc rejects any law that violates the constitution,” it said.
The Orthodox Gathering law transforms a lawmaker from a civilian-elected MP to one elected by members of his own sect, it noted.
“The lawmaker and the civilians are supposed to reflect the diversity of their electoral district” and not its sectarian identity, stressed the bloc.
“The Mustaqbal bloc is committed to the Taef Accord as a treaty among the Lebanese and the basis for any electoral law,” it added.
“We are ready to openly discuss any draft law that would satisfy all partners in the nation and alleviate their concerns on condition that the appeasement of these concerns does not create new ones for other factions,” it explained.
To that purpose, the bloc demanded an end to heated sectarian rhetoric “that only leads to more extremism and narrow-mindedness.”
On the government's draft electoral law based on proportional representation, the Mustaqbal bloc said that its adoption would only serve the purposes of Hizbullah due to its illegal possession of arms.
“Such a law could be adopted in the future once the Lebanese people all begin to respect each other's rights and once the threat of arms is eliminated,” it said.
The Orthodox Gathering draft law calls for each sect to elect its own lawmakers.
The proposal enjoys the support of the Christian four-party committee comprised of the Phalange Party, Free Patriotic Movement, Marada Movement, and Lebanese Forces.
The draft law was criticized by President Michel Suleiman, Premier Najib Miqati, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, the Mustaqbal Movement, March 14 Independent Christian leaders and several other figures.
The cabinet approved in August a draft electoral law based on proportional representation and 13 districts.
It was rejected by Jumblat and the March 14-led opposition, which deemed it as being tailored to the March 8 camp's interests.
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