Suleiman Optimistic About Proportionality, Criticizes Dictatorship of Politicians

President Michel Suleiman expressed confidence on Thursday that the parties rejecting proportional representation in the parliamentary elections will eventually support it.

“Those publically standing against proportionality today will be with it in the future,” Suleiman told As Safir daily about al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri and Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat.

But he lauded Speaker Nabih Berri for his support to proportionality, hoping that the draft-law proposed by Interior Minister Marwan Charbel would be adopted through constitutional means.

“The formation of a new political class through a modern and democratic electoral law is the guarantee” to overcoming the incapacity of politicians to bring a president from their ranks, he said on the fourth-day of his visit to Australia.

Suleiman told As Safir that he discussed with Berri different options that would lead to the formation of a non-sectarian parliament, which preserves equal shares of power, and would ultimately lead to the establishment of a senate as called for by the Taef accord.

Asked about doubts on the Lebanese army’s role, Suleiman said his experience as former military commander and as head of state showed him that the army acts democratically while politicians behave in a dictatorial way.

On the failure of the cabinet to appoint a president for the Higher Judicial Council, the president appeased fears that the procrastination would lead to a crisis.

The appointments will be carried out in accordance with the adopted mechanism, he said. “The delay won’t cause a crisis.”