Franjieh suggests voting for him or for Geagea in presidential election

Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh has called for “accepting the principle of dialogue and agreeing on a full package” or “going to elections between the two main political camps in the country,” noting that he and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea would represent the two camps in such an election.

“We would congratulate the winner,” he added, noting that such an approach would “restore the prestige of the presidential vote, the presidential race and the presidency itself.”

As for the characteristics of the next president, Franjieh said the new president should “respect the Taif Accord, protect the constitution, openly cooperate with the prime minister and consult with the parliament speaker on a constant basis.”

“The president’s strength has never been related to his broad popular representation, but rather to his political presence and ability to represent a national political choice, to leave behind his political alignment after being elected, and to play the role of an arbitrator in the Lebanese political equation,” the Marada chief added.

“The president is not required to be an economist but rather a believer in the free economic system, a guarantor of a political settlement that would revive the economic cycle, and a protector of structural economic and financial reforms through a fair and independent judiciary,” Franjieh went on to say.