MP Fayyad to as-Saffir: Orthodox Electoral Law ‘Sect against Sectarianism’

Local Editor

Lebanese as-Saffir daily released an interview it made in its issue on Friday with member of Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc MP Ali Fayyad regarding the Lebanese electoral law, in which he pointed out that any law including partial or total proportionality is acceptable.
Fayyad expressed enthusiasm during the sessions of the proposals made by his colleague Ali Bazzi on equality between the majority electoral law and a proportional one. However, his priority was always "what our Christian partners want."

Moreover, the MP reiterated that Hizbullah is open for different proposals, underscoring that this stance widens the margin of gathering, because "it prevents us from clutching on to one final plan."
Fayyad stated to the Lebanese daily that the Future Movement's refuse of proportionality because of Hizbullah's weaponry is an untrue balance, and that the Movement itself knows this well.

He further accentuated that the Future Movement's pretext is an attempt to run from its sect's crisis and an urge to claim a part of the Christian representation in parliament.
In this context, Fayyad referred to two examples on the detriments of an electoral law based on majority:

1- In Serbia, strict nationals led by Milošević in a parliamentary majority purged Bosnian minority, which led to the true meaning of democratic extermination.

2- In South Africa, the Black majority leads the regime, and Fayyad questioned whether their majority permits them to control the white minority, or diversity must be respected to reach stability?

An electoral law based on proportionality, Fayyad deliberated, is the only way to political reform and development of the political regime.
Referring to accusations of Hizbullah seeking proportionality to reap the parliamentary majority, Fayyad argued, "Proportionality could make Hizbullah lose some of its power, and could even produce a Shiite trio instead of a duo, yet Hizbullah does not care as long as the political reality is developed and the door to political reform is opened."

For his part, Fayyad deliberated that Hizbullah's approval of the Orthodox electoral law has a deeper meaning. He admitted that there is a major problem that faces Lebanon which is Christian representation, and called for addressing this problem.
On this note, Hizbullah's representative emphasized that the Orthodox electoral law is "a sect against sectarianism" because it produces a parliament completely representing Christians and other sects.

Moreover, Fayyad addressing the "partners of the nation" stated, "Let us give the Christians this chance that is worthwhile the venture."
Fayyad further described the third phase of the electoral subcommittee as the "hard labor" phase, "Since the committee must drill the rock of different stances."
The Hizbullah MP stated, "If we want to hold elections in time, we must seriously seize the opportunity of consensus. However, if that failed, we must then move to ratifying an electoral law of parliamentary majority. This law would lessen the Lebanese concern since not reaching consensus moves to a different path of democracy."

Source: as-Saffir daily, translated and edited by moqawama.org