Berri Adheres to Parliament’s Role, Says Boycott of Legislative Sessions is Contrary to Democracy
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Speaker Nabih Berri held onto parliament's legislative role, including a session next week aimed at discussing the public sector wage scale, despite a threat by Christian lawmakers to boycott sessions.
In remarks carried by local newspapers on Friday, Berri said: “I hold onto the legislative process and the May 27 session.”
The failure to approve the pay hike next Tuesday would infuriate the public sector and likely lead to the boycott of official exams.
“I don't want to create a precedence that would contribute to the paralysis of the parliament and its role under various excuses, including the vacuum in the presidency,” he said.
“When I feel that a session is unconstitutional, then I would not call for it,” Berri was quoted as saying.
“Anyone who wants to boycott (parliament) is free to do so. But non attendance will be contrary to democracy and political life in the country,” he added.
“Who said I am glad for having a vacancy in the presidential post?” the speaker asked.
The Christian parties' plan to boycott legislative sessions comes after parliament failed to elect a new president Thursday in the fifth round of the polls that was seen as a last-ditch effort to pick a new head of state before the expiry of President Michel Suleiman's six-year term on Sunday.
The election could not take place because the majority of the March 8 alliance's lawmakers boycotted the session.
Berri reiterated that he would call on MPs to attend a session at any time that rivals agree on a consensual candidate.
“What's the point of keeping the MPs daily at parliament if there is no agreement on guaranteeing quorum?” he asked.
Berri, who is also the head of the AMAL movement, said he would call for regular parliamentary sessions a few days after the expiry of Suleiman's term if a new president was not elected by Sunday.
“The problem is not with parliament, but with politicians who have failed to agree on a candidate,” he added.
G.K.
H.K.
23 May 2014, 08:34
112
Berri Holds onto Parliament’s Role, Says Boycott is Contrary to Democracy
Shamelss and blatant hypocrisy from someone who knows knotting about democracy. Lest you forget you closed parliament for 18 months and you and your allies have boycotted the presidential elections so far.
23 May 2014, 08:50
111
“The problem is not with parliament, but with politicians who have failed to agree on a candidate,”... Berri must be talking about the militia & it stooges.
23 May 2014, 09:36
26
“I don't want to create a precedence that would contribute to the paralysis of the parliament"
Who are you trying to fool Berri?? You shut down parliament for more than 2 years!!!! If you're losing your memory, we will never forget what you did....
LAN NANSA !!!
23 May 2014, 09:38
15
“The problem is not with parliament, but with politicians who have failed to agree on a candidate,” he added.
failed to agree..HA..HA...HA..what the hell!!
Is it an election, a designation or an agreement???
What the point of calling it an election if the MPs don't want to elect?
Let the ballot paper decides..is it so difficult?
Otherwise don't call it election..
23 May 2014, 11:42
24
Berri is a double standard Hypocrit ! His partners are the ones responsible for Boycott !
He should denounce them publicly for their blackmailing of the elections ! Not just use big titles and words.
And he should apply the full constitution stating that if Quorum of 2/3rds is not met, a Quorum of HALF+1 is enough to elect a president.
23 May 2014, 14:31
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Berri keeps inventing new exiting roles for the parliament.. as long as he heads it of course
23 May 2014, 15:49
14
Then get your M8 Allies to respect your seat and attend the electoral sessions instead of making excuses to the media.
23 May 2014, 18:29
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Berri may be a snake, but he knows exactly was he is doing. He is a very calculating man.
23 May 2014, 19:18
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Perhaps someone should tell Mr. Berri that in most democratic countries, it makes no difference how many members of parliament are actually in the session, laws can be passed. There is no such thing as a quorum, so Mr. Berri every time you cancelled a parliamentary session you yourself were acting contrary to democracy.
It is exactly the same when you failed to call the session in order to elect a new President. The person who gained the most votes, even if there were say only 10 MP's in the session, would become president.
If all the partiers who boycotted the session would have seen that you are going ahead with the vote, you would have seen that they turn up just like sheep.
23 May 2014, 23:10
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The last time I looked out of the window (5 minutes ago) my government was based in London and not in Jerusalem as you claim.
If you can't understand that any number of MP's present at a session are a legal quorum and the Spoeaker has no right to cancel a session, then your understanding of English is lacking. Unfortunately I don't speak Arabic, but can translate for you into French, then perhaps you'd understand
