Report: Neutral Govt. Aimed at Marginalizing Christians, Says FPM
The Free Patriotic Movement is keen on forming a government that will tackle national concerns, not just the parliamentary elections, reported al-Joumhouria daily Saturday.
FPM sources noted: “The alleged neutral government is aimed at marginalizing Christians.”
“We want a government that will not be strictly aimed at holding the elections, because several pending issues could topple the cabinet,” they added.
They want a cabinet for the elections, but there are several issues that cannot be avoided and need to be tackled, remarked the sources.
“How will these cases be addressed and with what political cover?” they wondered.
The March 8 forces have called for forming a political, national unity cabinet, while the March 14 forces have called for forming a neutral, technocrat cabinet.
Premier-designate Tammam Salam has meanwhile said that he is seeking a cabinet to oversee the parliamentary polls that does not contain MP hopefuls.
The FPM, of MP Michel Aoun, has a “comprehensive vision” of the situation in Lebanon and the elections, starting with an agreement over a new electoral law, explained the FPM sources.
Moreover, they said: “If the alleged leaks over the names of possible candidates in the cabinet are true, then it means that preparations are underway to form a government of ghosts.”
“There is no such thing as neutrality and the cabinet's real purpose is to impose the 1960 electoral law in the elections,” they explained.
The real battle will center over the electoral law and not the formation of the government, they remarked.
The FPM and the majority of the political parties of the rival March 8 and 14 camps have repeatedly rejected the adoption of the 1960 electoral law for the elections, which was adopted during the 2009 polls.
The Movement has advocated the Orthodox Gathering law that it says offers Christians in Lebanon fair representation.
The law has been rejected by President Michel Suleiman, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, the Mustaqbal Movement, National Struggle Front of MP Walid Jumblat, and independent Christians March 14 officials, who said the proposal deepens sectarian divisions in Lebanon.
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