Al-Mustaqbal, Phalange Hold Intense Meetings on Electoral Draft-Law
Officials from former Prime Minister Saad Hariri's al-Mustaqbal movement and its March 14 opposition ally the Phalange party held several meetings on Thursday to discuss the controversial electoral draft-law.
Phalange MP Sami Gemayel visited al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc chief Fouad Saniora. The talks were attended by al-Mustaqbal MP Ahmed Fatfat and Hariri's aide former Minister Mohammed Shatah.
A terse statement carried by the National News Agency said the 90-minute talks focused on the current situation and electoral draft-laws.
Shatah, who later visited Phalange leader Amin Gemayel, said: “Al-Mustaqbal is seeking to find a real solution to Christian fears by suggesting a draft-law that is based on the constitution and coexistence.”
“My visit to Gemayel is an additional proof of the political and national alliance’s strategy and a determination to find a solution to the controversial issues, mainly the electoral-law,” he said.
Shatah expressed support to holding the parliamentary elections on time.
He denied that ties between the different factions of the March 14 opposition had been cut over the controversy that erupted on the electoral draft-law.
The Phalange and the Lebanese Forces, both major Christian parties of the March 14 opposition, have announced support to the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal which calls for a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs in a proportional representation system.
But both parties have announced their openness to discuss any electoral draft-law that guarantees the best representation for all the Lebanese.
Their ally al-Mustaqbal has rejected proportionality and said the proposal harms the Lebanese social fabric.
“The Orthodox proposal would superficially resolve the fears of the Christians but in reality it would backfire,” Shatah said.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/69573 |