Berri: Those Who Abstain from Article 21 Vote Bear Responsibility for Consequences

Local Editor, 22-02-2010

Lebanon's first speaker warned parties that abstain from voting the draft law to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 during Monday's parliamentary session will bear responsibility for the consequences, including the obstruction of political reforms and the increase in sectarian tension.

In an interview published in As-Safir's Monday edition, Berri said that the best option would be for all MPs to vote for lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 and implement it in the 2013 parliamentary elections. Refusing to vote and voting against the draft law are the same difference, said Berri, adding, "Let each bloc shoulder its responsibility toward the younger generation."
Blocs - including the Change and Reform, Lebanese Forces, Kataeb and Future - will abstain from voting, according to various reports.

However, the Development and Liberation, Loyalty to the Resistance, Progressive Socialist Party, Syrian Social Nationalist Party, and Baath Party MPs will all reportedly vote in favor of amending Article 21 of the constitution pertaining to the legal voting age.

Berri added that a mechanism to grant Lebanese living abroad the right to vote in their countries of residence will have been established by then.

He criticized parties against amending Article 21 and against abolishing political sectarianism, stating that "Some say they support the constitution but fail to act on it."