Aoun: I Won't Advocate Any Law Other than Orthodox Proposal
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun criticized on Saturday sides claiming that the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft law is unconstitutional.
He told al-Mada radio: “I will not advocate any law other than the Orthodox Gathering proposal.”
“Those criticizing the suggestion are the same powers that are controlling the Christian seats in parliament,” he noted.
“Does the election of 64 MPs violate coexistence in Lebanon?” he wondered.
“The only law that offers fair representation for all sects is the one that does not waste a single vote,” remarked Aoun.
Addressing accusations of corruption against the March 8 camp, the MP said: “I don't have evidence that our allies had committed theft.”
No settlement will be struck should any theft be found, he added.
“I will not cover up for anyone if they have been found to be stealing public funds,” declared Aoun
An electoral subcommittee has been meeting since January in order to reach an agreement over a new electoral law with discussions focusing on the Orthodox Gathering proposal and different versions of a hybrid law that combines the winner-takes-all and proportional representation systems.
The Orthodox law calls for each sect to elect its own MPs under a proportional representation system based on a nationwide district..
The draft law was rejected by President Michel Suleiman, Premier Najib Miqati, the Mustaqbal Movement, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, and independent March 14 MPs.
It was criticized for fueling sectarian divisions.
Different March 14 and 8 camp Christian parties had instead advocated the proposal, saying that it catered to the concerns of Christians in Lebanon.
The failure to reach an agreement over a new electoral law has sparked fears that the elections, set for June, may be postponed.
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