Lebanon speaker warns: No deal on an electoral law means “no country or institutions”

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri warned in a statement that the anticipated May 15 parliament session will not be convened unless a consensus is reached between political parties on a new electoral law, stressing that he is opposed to any parliament extension al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

“I don’t agree on an extension (of the parliament term). If an agreement on a new law is not reached before May 15, the legislative session will not convene,” Berri warned .

Addressing his visitors on Tuesday, Berri reiterated adherence to his electoral law proposal.

Berri’s proposal calls for electing a newly created senate under a sectarian voting electoral system and a parliament under an electoral law fully based on proportional representation.

Referring to a “sectarian” format presented by Free Patriotic Movement Jebran Bassil without mentioning him, Berri stated: “They said they want to represent the Christians, but it turned out that that they want to represent the Christians of their choice while excluding others.

“If a deal on an electoral law is not reached and the polls were not staged before June 20, there will be no country or institutions.” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri warned

“I have presented my project for the fair and correct representation of all, especially Christians. If they do not believe it, let them try it.” Berri stressed that a vote on a law will not take place during a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

“Let them know, there will be no voting on an election law.”

Berri cautioned that there will be vacuum at the legislative authority if all endeavors fail to reach a voting system, and warned: “If a deal on an electoral law is not reached and the polls were not staged before June 20, there will be no country or institutions.”