The legislative session called by the Speaker of Parliament comes at a highly sensitive moment, both politically and constitutionally, reviving a fundamental question about the role the legislature has come to play. Is it still a functioning lawmaking authority that respects the Constitution and responds to citizens’ priorities, or has it become a platform for managing political deadlock under the banner of “necessary legislation,” with little regard for constitutional principles or for the rights of Lebanese citizens—particularly those living abroad?

Against this backdrop, the position taken by the Kataeb Bloc has stood out as one of the clearest and most internally consistent. The bloc argued that the upcoming session represents nothing more than another link in a chain of repetitive sittings, all built around the same carefully curated agenda; one that deliberately ignores critical issues that can no longer be deferred. From a strict constitutional perspective, the bloc warned that persisting with this approach undermines the principle of orderly parliamentary work and entrenches distorted legislative practices at the expense of citizens’ fundamental rights.

Accordingly, the Kataeb Bloc reaffirmed that it will not take part in the session unless the agenda includes the fast-tracked draft law allowing Lebanese citizens living abroad to vote for all 128 members of Parliament. The bloc stressed that this is a full constitutional right that cannot be fragmented, postponed, or treated as a bargaining chip. Equal representation for expatriates, it says, is not a procedural detail but a cornerstone of national partnership, and any attempt to delay or circumvent it would set a dangerous precedent, eroding the principle of equality between Lebanese at home and those in the diaspora.

This stance reflects a broader assessment of the dysfunction affecting the management of the legislative institution itself. In this context, MP Mark Daou told kataeb.org that the core problem lies in how Parliament is being run, calling on the Speaker to put an end to repeated procedural violations that obstruct proper parliamentary work and weaken the Council’s effectiveness as a constitutional institution. Parliament, Daou argued, should serve as a driver of reform and national recovery, not an obstacle to it. He added that the boycott of the September 29 session and subsequent sittings was not a tactical political move, but a principled decision rooted in the conviction that the session was based on a constitutional flaw and should neither have been held nor revived.

Daou also stressed the need to the government’s fast-tracked expatriate voting bill on the agenda, alongside all other urgent draft laws—particularly those submitted by the executive branch—before the extraordinary parliamentary session expires on December 31. He described the remaining time as a final opportunity for responsible legislation, warning that failure to act would push the country into deeper and more dangerous constitutional and institutional paralysis.

Other parliamentary blocs, however, have adopted a different approach. MP Bilal Abdallah of the Democratic Gathering Bloc said his group would attend the upcoming parliamentary session in the interest of ensuring the continuity of state institutions, while reiterating its political support for granting expatriates the right to vote for all 128 MPs; an effort, he said, to balance principle with the practical demands of governance.

Among reformist lawmakers, MP Najat Aoun said consultations are still underway to reach a unified position, but announced that she would personally boycott the session, insisting that the expatriate voting law must be placed on the agenda without further delay.

Meanwhile, MP Farid Boustany told kataeb.org that he would attend the session, citing the presence of draft laws he previously submitted that require action before constitutional deadlines expire. He emphasized that his decision is independent of the stance taken by the Strong Lebanon Bloc, to which he belongs.

At the same time, kataeb.org has learned that intensive consultations are underway among several MPs, including Ibrahim Kanaan, Simon Abi Ramia, Alain Aoun, and Elias Bou Saab, to determine their final position on participation. A clearer picture is expected to emerge in the coming hours, taking into account citizens’ urgent need for the passage of social and economic legislation.

Adding to the divide, the Lebanese Forces party announced its boycott of the session, highlighting the depth of parliamentary disagreement over the session’s legitimacy and usefulness in the absence of genuine consensus on constitutional and legislative priorities.

Ultimately, tomorrow's session goes beyond being a routine legislative event, evolving instead into a real test of Parliament’s commitment to the Constitution and to the rights of all Lebanese citizens.

Between those pushing for selective legislation that falls short of constitutional fairness and those—such as the Kataeb Party—who insist on comprehensive legislation grounded in equality and proper representation, the stakes are clear. What is at issue is whether the logic of State institutions will prevail over distorted parliamentary practices, and whether Parliament can reclaim its role as a legislative authority that genuinely reflects the will of the Lebanese people rather than short-term political calculations.