Geagea Urges Parliament Vote on New Electoral Law

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea met on Tuesday with President Michel Aoun at the Baabda Palace, and stressed that political parties should seek a parliament vote on a new electoral law for the upcoming elections shall they fail to agree on a consensual law to govern the polls.

“Shall we reach some kind of accord it would be fine, otherwise let the parliament play its role and vote on a new electoral law,” said Geagea after talks with Aoun that focused on the controversial law file.

“We cannot keep the current (1960) law,” said Geagea, “We have to either agree on a new one or head to parliament for a vote knowing that the 1960 law is rejected.”

The political parties are bickering over amending the current election law which divides seats among the different religious sects.

On the LF's request to privatize the electricity sector, Geagea said: “We must find quick and productive solutions. We have to privatize the electricity sector because the results today are unacceptable and we have to try something new.

“The production and distribution of electricity is critical and affects each and every citizen. We raised the privatization issue to have some hope. I don't agree with those who said it requires 5 to 10 years to finalize,” he said.

“We are having discussions with all parliamentary blocs to garner support for this proposal which provides 24/24 power supply without imposing additional taxes, and at the same time reduces the treasury's costs,” he concluded.