Diaspora groups push for electoral law amendment to confirm expat voting rights for all 128 parliamentary seats — press release
In response to a unified legislative proposal submitted by 16 Lebanese diaspora groups from various countries around the world, nine members of the Lebanese Parliament-Michel Douaihy, Ibrahim Mneimneh, Georges Okais, Osama Saad, Adib Abdel Massih, Faisal Sayegh, Neemat Frem, Hagop Terzian, and Ahmad El-Kheir submitted a draft law on Friday, May 9, 2025, to amend certain provisions of Law 44/2017 regarding the election of members of Parliament.
This proposal aims to allow non-resident Lebanese citizens to exercise their voting rights in their original electoral districts, as was the case in the most recent elections. It seeks to cancel the six parliamentary seats currently reserved for expatriates, thereby affirming the principle of full political equality between resident and non-resident Lebanese citizens.
As of the issuance of this statement, several parliamentary blocs and independent MPs have announced their public support for this proposal. Notable supporters include Paula Yacoubian, Halime Kaakour, Najat Saliba, Mark Daou, Melhem Khalaf, Elias Jarade, Yassin Yassin, Cynthia Zarazir, Waddah Sadek, and Ihab Matar. The number of MPs backing the amendment now totals approximately 50, reflecting a growing momentum in Parliament and highlighting the importance of correcting the representational imbalance affecting the Lebanese diaspora.
The initiating diaspora groups have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing efforts through engagement and coordination with all MPs and parliamentary blocs to bolster support and ensure the adoption of this amendment, which restores rightful political recognition to Lebanese expatriates as a vital component of national and political life.
Initiating Diaspora Groups: The Lebanese Diaspora Network, Lebanese Overseas Diaspora Association, World Lebanese Cultural Union, Kollouna Irada, Lebanese Forum in Europe, United Expatriates, Council of Lebanese Executives, Lebanese Citizens Around the World, Sawti, Lebanese Diaspora Movement, Change Lebanon, Collectif Libanais de France, Lebanese National Alliance, Latin American Center for Lebanese Studies, Team Hope, Our New Lebanon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
4 hours ago
- LBCI
PM Salam meets former minister Aridi, reviews South Lebanon damage with officials
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with former Minister Ghazi Aridi on Monday afternoon at the Grand Serail, where they discussed the latest political developments in the country. Salam also held talks with the head of the Council for the South, Hashem Haidar, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the High Relief Commission, Brig. Gen. Bassam Naboulsi. The meeting focused on assessing the damage caused by the latest Israeli attacks on Lebanon, with discussions centering on the ongoing survey efforts and coordination required to address the aftermath of the aggression.
LBCI
4 hours ago
- LBCI
Lebanon and IMF continue negotiations at Finance Ministry
Negotiations between Lebanon's Finance Ministry and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) resumed Monday afternoon in Beirut, focusing on the country's Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) and the guiding principles for financial policy in the coming phase. The discussions, which built on last week's meetings, centered on strategies aimed at restoring financial stability and encouraging sustainable growth. According to preliminary data compiled by the IMF delegation through meetings with Lebanese financial and economic institutions, potential solutions to the country's crisis remain viable, especially if the government continues implementing reforms. The MTFF being developed is intended to be both realistic and flexible, reflecting Lebanon's economic challenges while promoting fiscal transparency, discipline, and long-term structural reforms. Key components include prioritizing effective public spending tools in alignment with the country's development and social needs. Attending the meeting were Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, Economy Minister Amer Bisat, Director of Public Finance Georges Maarawi, Banque du Liban (BDL) Vice Governor Salim Chahine, and economic and financial advisors from the presidency, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Ministry of Finance. Representing the IMF was mission chief Ernesto Rigo and a team of specialized experts. Jaber and Rigo held a separate working session to assess progress since last Friday's talks and to prepare for the broader afternoon meeting. In a separate development, Minister Jaber, along with Maarawi and advisor Claudine Karaki, met with a delegation from the European Union that included representatives from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and the European Investment Fund. Discussions focused on advancing joint efforts in economic reform, infrastructure modernization, and digital transformation. The talks also emphasized the importance of private sector support and investment incentives, as well as the EU's interest in monitoring Lebanon's progress toward an IMF-backed reform agenda.
LBCI
6 hours ago
- LBCI
US gives nod to Syria to bring foreign jihadist ex-rebels into army
The United States has given its blessing to a plan by Syria's new leadership to incorporate thousands of foreign jihadist former rebel fighters into the national army, provided that it does so transparently, President Donald Trump's envoy said. Three Syrian defense officials said that under the plan, some 3,500 foreign fighters, mainly Uyghurs from China and neighboring countries, would join a newly-formed unit, the 84th Syrian army division, which would also include Syrians. Asked by Reuters in Damascus whether Washington approved the integration of foreign fighters into Syria's new military, Thomas Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey who was named Trump's special envoy to Syria last month, said: "I would say there is an understanding, with transparency." He said it was better to keep the fighters, many of whom are "very loyal" to Syria's new administration, within a state project than to exclude them.
