Berri: No Parliament Extension, Some Attempt to Invoke the 1960 Election Law

Speaker Nabih Berri expressed annoyance at the joint committees dead stop and inability to agree on a new parliamentary electoral law and stated a belief that some lawmakers want to invoke the 1960 law in the coming polls, As Safir daily reported on Wednesday.

“The meetings of the joint parliamentary committees to discuss the election law did not yield any results yet. It is still at a standstill,” Berri told his visitors according to the daily.

“I will bring up the issue during the national dialogue meeting set for June 21, so that everyone assumes their responsibilities,” he added.

“There is a waste of time, which is not innocent nor acceptable,” said the speaker, expressing belief that some lawmakers are deliberately trying to bring the 1960 law back into effect.

He stressed the need to “do the impossible to avoid the return to the 1960 law,” drawing attention that he supports everything that leads to the adoption of the proportional law, which “has become a national and pressing need.”

Berri stressed that he will not accept another extension of the parliament's term and that the elections will be held.

The joint committees have held several meetings over the last months without reaching an agreement on a new parliamentary electoral law.

The gatherers have failed to agree whether to adopt the proportional law or the 1960 (winner takes all) law.

Disagreements between the rival political powers over an electoral law forced parliament to twice extend its own term, once in 2013 and another time in 2014.

Its term ends in June 2017.

D.A.

M.T.