Lebanese Forces bloc MP Antoine Zahra praised the electoral law proposed by the Orthodox Gathering and said it is the “best” solution for easing sectarian tensions in the country.
The electoral law proposal by the Orthodox Gathering, calls for each sect to elects its own lawmakers to ensure fair representation at the parliament .
“This is the best way to reduce sectarian tensions, which is to allow each sect to feel that it is being properly represented,” Zahra told the Free Lebanon radio station .
Maronite leaders agreed Friday during a meeting at Bkirki to support the Orthodox Gathering’s draft electoral law, and agreed to form a committee to discuss the proposed law with Lebanese officials.
On the other hand Change and Reform bloc MP Alain Aoun said on Saturday that the Orthodox plan on electoral law is a proposal motivated by sectarianism.
“How can we, Christians, be represented appropriately in such a sectarian system in Lebanon ?” Aoun asked during an interview with New TV television.
Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun attended the Bkirki meeting
March 14 MP Boutros Harb told the London-based daily Asharq al-Awsat that the Orthodox plan on the new electoral law “practically implements what the National Pact stipulates” regarding the distribution of posts among Christians and Muslims in Lebanon.
The National Pact is an unwritten power-sharing agreement under which the presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian, the premiership for a Sunni Muslim, and the parliamentary speakership for a Shiite Muslim.
Harb said that the Orthodox plan was approved “out of Christian concerns” for the changes that have swept the region over the past year.
Lebanese politicians are presently debating the electoral law for the upcoming 2013 parliamentary elections.
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