Geagea urges Berri to discuss expats drat law in parliament without delay
As Lebanon prepares for its 2026 Parliamentary elections, a debate over the voting law drags on with many MPs forming a parliamentary majority pushing for amending the law to allow a large Lebanese diaspora to vote for the 128 seats.
Earlier this month, cabinet approved to send an urgent draft law demanding the amendment to Parliament, after Speaker Nabih Berri refused to discuss it in a legislative session, prompting the LF and Kataeb MPs to boycott it.
LF leader Samir Geagea said Friday that Berri's jurisdiction is restricted by the Constitution and that he should not obstruct the parliamentary system and democracy in the country, after he had heard that Berri is planning to refer the urgent bill to the parliamentary committees instead of discussing it in a plenary session.
"Any attempt to buy time constitutes a clear and deliberate act of obstructing the elections," Geagea said.
The current electoral law only allows expats to vote for six newly-introduced seats in parliament. Sixty-five MPs, including those of the LF and allies, demanded to amend the law in order to allow expats to vote for all 128 seats. Berri refused to discuss the draft law in parliament.
LF's Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji later submitted the draft law to cabinet. Cabinet passed it and sent it to Parliament.
"Berri must refer the government's bill to parliament before November 20," Geagea said.
Hezbollah and Amal argue that they do not enjoy the same campaigning freedom that other parties enjoy abroad and are objecting against the possible amendment.
Source: Naharnet
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