Cabinet Approves Mechanism Allowing Expats to Vote in Polls
The government approved on Wednesday a mechanism that would allow Lebanese expatriates to vote in the 2013 parliamentary elections and approved a reduction in the weight of the Arabic bread pack to appease bakeries.
The government is scheduled to hold a meeting at the Grand Serail next Wednesday to discuss the details of the mechanism and ways to implement it, Information Minister Walid al-Daouq told reporters after the session held at the presidential palace.
Another session will be held at Baabda palace next Thursday, he said.
The government approved to reduce the weight of the bread bundle by 100 grams and keep its price at LL1,500.
The bread pack will now weigh 900 grams to satisfy bakeries that have been complaining of the rise in the prices of raw material.
The Bakeries Union suspended its open-ended strike last week after it struck a deal with Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas, who promised to subsidize flour with LL70,000.
Bakeries are now receiving a ton of flour at the cost of LL440,000 instead of LL510,000.
The cabinet, however, failed on Wednesday to reach agreement on ways to legalize a controversial $5.9 billion extra-budgetary spending bill.
If the legislature fails to approve it again, then the appropriate decision would be taken, al-Daouq quoted President Michel Suleiman as telling the ministers.
Suleiman suggested that Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi redraft it and later refer it for approval by the parliament which previously failed to do so over differences between the March 8 majority and March 14 opposition.
Several parties have urged Suleiman to sign the bill under article 58 of the constitution which allows him to issue a bill deemed urgent by the government after the failure of the legislature to approve it within forty days following its transfer to the chamber of deputies and its inclusion on the agenda of the discussions.
But the president has stressed that parliament should play its role in that regard.
The cabinet tasked al-Safadi with paying the salaries of state employees after fears that the government would fail to do so if the $5.9 billion bill was not adopted.
Discussions on the spending took more than one hour, Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) said, a sign that cabinet ministers are divided over the issue.
almost 12 years
hahaha as if FPM didn t pay tickets to expats too..... typical M8 hypocrisy...
almost 12 years
well it really didn't
almost 12 years
This is the biggest news in the past few years....and they bundle it with 3 other stories?!
We demand a full explanation to this law for Expats to vote (from their residing countries).
almost 12 years
Bye Bye M8 and their corrupt thugs, The executive branch is just implementing what M14 worked hard to pass and your foreign minister tried so hard to block....regardless, this is a historic day for Lebanon and bye bye M8.
almost 12 years
PS: You call everyone else an idiot...in this my friend, you're the master of us all.
almost 12 years
What do you do for a living ya FT? Seems to me like you collect broken records, and spend your time copy pasting the same old propaganda...
I will refrain to contradict your pathetic lies, I have done it too many time especially on this topic. You have zero credibility and you're the only one convinced of your pathetic arguments. At least Jabal amel was entertaining...you're boring! Get a life dude! So long!
almost 12 years
I said it already... too many times...but you're brainwashed my friend...and you think you can get others to follow you...well...nope! ;)
almost 12 years
Mabrouk ya Libnan. Shoukr lal FPM & C&R Block.
almost 12 years
Flame thrower one day I have no doubt you will become an electricity payer
almost 12 years
the man is not from akkar nor tarik jdidah so he surely pays his bills
almost 12 years
M8 supporters seem to think that this issue is only discussed by this gvt and nothing was done before...
again twisting facts to make people believe that they are the only ones to do something... soooo funny!!!!
almost 12 years
Homeless (friendless) Pebble Thrower....I found the place where you will be accepted and maybe find some friends... www.english.moqawama.org now go away!
I'm expecting a "thank you" reply!
almost 12 years
ya FT, even during M14 reign, the foreigh minister was from Haraket Amal, he had all the time in world (as you said) to legalize expatriates voting, why didn't he? When you present an argument don't hide some facts hoping that everyone else won't notice and will believe you. We are not dumb. Yesterday GMA was saying that expatriates voting isn't worth it, in fact it is the president who made this whole thing happen.
almost 12 years
ya marc this decision is taken by the gouverment not by the foreign affairs minister check ur constitution. So harriri never wanted expats to vote so he could bring em here and make em vote for him
almost 12 years
hahaha.. poor FT always denying truth... to refresh your alzheimer memory once again:
the expats were granted the right to vote in parliamentary elections in 2008 – and were told that the process wasn’t ready for them in time for the polls that took place the following year.
The Foreign Ministry submitted to the former Cabinet a report in 2009 on the feasibility of out-of-country voting and apparently it was negative.
Baroud then studied the feasability and said that there were no obstacles and even studies by EU an UN were made to amount the costs per embassy..
and each time who blocked anything to be done? amal s ministers...your allies no? and now you boast that you are the first cabinet to do something? soooo funny...
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http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Aug-26/Diaspora-voting-may-be-feasible-in-2013.ashx#ixzz1W5xLEkCN
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the right of expat to vote is in the law 25 of 2009... nothing was done huh?
almost 12 years
the previous gvt you blame of having done nothing.... :)
almost 12 years
FT, 90% (remember Jumblat) and this is why the Butcher Assad is threatning Lebanon now!
almost 12 years
There are talks about attempts not to allow easy access to Lebanese abroad so they eliminate the numbers of voters, whether it is done on purpose or the lack of organizations within the embassies staff. Aoun continues talk about that abroad people are not interested is a big lie or cover for their attempt to have it failed.
almost 12 years
FT...I am not pro any political party or person in Lebanon.. I ve been living overseas for a while and never voted in any election..but this time I will.. I am voting for the lesser of two evils...I will support anybody against ur devil Hizbiran..ur Hizb of thug will still wanna control lebanon with his weapons even if they loose the elections...nevertheless, losing the election will be a big blow to the morale of this M8-Fia ( if they have any morale!)..but will be just the start... many people here feel the same way
almost 12 years
Well let's see what's gonna happen in 2013 ;D
almost 12 years
Why don't we give credit where credit is due? This government actually approved the mechanism. Government approval is essential for the mechanism to be implemented. So, grudgingly, well done and thank you. Just make sure to see it through.
almost 12 years
jabal thank you, I think there is still hoep for LF
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Nicely said FT.
I still have yet to see any replies other than @jabal10452 that has any worth.
almost 12 years
Kudos to M14 for starting the process and Kudos to M-8 for finishing. It is a good thing and both sides can get credit for it (it really does not matter who gets the credit part o it, or most of it). What is important is that a good thing has happened and lets be happy about it and stop the sniping.
almost 12 years
well said :)
almost 12 years
lol :)
Mabrouk exapts now you can finally vote, only problem is, Harriri won't have to offer his supporters free rides back to the country. Tahnk you FPM and allies