Opposition MPs proposed a roadmap to achieve the presidential elections, including two practical suggestions as an urgent solution to halt the deadlock and save the country.

 

Opposition MPs held a press conference in Parliament and issued a statement that read: "Reaffirming the position of the opposition MPs regarding the presidential elections, which includes a roadmap capable of overcoming obstacles to this constitutional entitlement, contributing to its completion, and thus bringing Lebanon out of the political paralysis caused by the ongoing obstruction of State institutions."

 

"In light of the increasing dangers threatening Lebanon and the ongoing presidential vacuum due to the systematic obstruction of the election, the Opposition MPs emphasize their commitment to electing a president suitable for this critical phase in Lebanon's history, in accordance with constitutional mechanisms, without establishing any new precedents outside the constitution that would undermine the national accord achieved in Taif and the principle of separation of powers. This president should be capable of representing Lebanon and its highest interests in international forums and negotiations, upholding the constitution and national sovereignty, implementing international decisions, and embodying the will of the majority of Lebanese people, not imposed by force against their will," it added.

 

"The Opposition MPs have never missed any of the previous election sessions, attending and voting, and in their efforts to find a solution to the fabricated presidential crisis, they have moved from their main candidate to a compromise one. They have shown openness to initiatives calling for consultations with the guarantees of an open electoral session with consecutive rounds, in line with the efforts of the Quintet Committee as expressed in its successive statements since its first meeting in Doha, which outlined a roadmap to solve the presidential crisis by urging MPs to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to elect a president who embodies integrity, unites the nation, and prioritizes Lebanon's interests," the statement noted.

 

It added, "They also affirm that the constitutional responsibility and duty of Parliament, as the representative of the Lebanese people, lies in electing the President of the Lebanese Republic. Based on this, and out of their concern for conducting the presidential elections within a proper constitutional framework without creating any precedents, the Opposition MPs present to the Lebanese people and all parliamentary blocs their vision for a roadmap to achieve the presidential elections, based on the following two practical suggestions as an urgent solution to stop the obstruction and save the country from its constitutional crisis:

 

 

MPs meet in Parliament and consult among themselves, without any formal or institutionalized invitation, to respect the rules related to the presidential elections as stipulated in the Lebanese constitution. The consultation period should not exceed 48 hours, after which the MPs, regardless of the consultation results, proceed to an open election session with consecutive rounds until a president is elected, as stipulated by the constitution, without closing the session record, and all parties commit to attending the sessions and ensuring a quorum.

Second Proposal:

The Parliament Speaker calls for a session to elect the president and presides over it according to his constitutional powers. If the election is not completed in the first round, the session remains open, and MPs and blocs consult outside the hall for a maximum of 48 hours. They then return to the general hall for consecutive voting rounds, at a rate of four rounds per day, without interruption and without closing the session record until a president is elected, and all parties commit to attending the sessions and ensuring a quorum."