Latest news with #DevelopmentandLiberationBloc
LBCI
24-03-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon's parliamentary elections: Three main issues spark debate on reforming the electoral law
Report by Raneem Bou Khzam, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian The inclusion of the draft law on parliamentary elections, proposed by the Development and Liberation Bloc, on the agenda of the joint committees, has sparked broad discussions about the electoral law. The real debate in the coming period will focus on three main points: the number of preferential votes, voting by expatriates, and the "megacenters" or voting centers where any citizen can vote instead of being forced to go to their hometown. The discussion centers on increasing preferential votes from one to two. The implications of this change are that, in mixed districts, the party with the ability to mobilize and organize votes can direct preferential votes to more than one candidate, potentially winning more seats at the expense of other lists. The debate over expatriate voting revolves around the creation of six parliamentary seats designated for expatriates, as stipulated by the current electoral law. The background of the issue lies in the struggle between those who want to separate the impact of the expatriate vote from the 128 current seats and those who want to maintain their influence in Lebanon. The topic of "megacenters" has also become a point of division. These centers could reduce political parties' influence and pressure on voters. The apparent reason for the division is technical, as the discussion involves the need for magnetic cards to allow voters to vote at their preferred center. However, the underlying reason is political. The joint committees agreed to delay the discussion until all proposals are gathered for review. Outside the committees, the real debate has begun, and the time leading up to the elections allows for the necessary reforms to be made to a law that all parties agree contains several flaws.
LBCI
26-02-2025
- Business
- LBCI
MP Kabalan Kabalan says 'Development and Liberation' bloc will support the government with a vote of confidence
During Lebanon's parliament session to debate the ministerial statement, MP Kabalan Kabalan called on the government to intensify diplomatic efforts to raise the issue of Israeli violations with relevant embassies. He described the statement as comprehensive and wished the government success while stressing the need for proper standards in handling key issues. Kabalan emphasized the urgency of reconstruction and reaffirmed that restoring depositors' funds remains a top priority. He vowed to spare no effort in recovering lost funds, which he said were trapped between banks, the central bank, and the state. He said that during the crisis, funds were lost, and the country's economy collapsed. He further urged the government to take responsibility by compelling banks and the central bank to determine accountability for the deposits and ensure the swift return of funds to the people. During the session, MP Kabalan Kabalan expressed a commitment to inclusivity, stating that the nation can accommodate all groups and that no faction can dismiss another, regardless of its strength. He highlighted that the cost of unity among Lebanese is significantly lower than the cost of division. Kabalan confirmed that the Development and Liberation Bloc will support the government with a vote of confidence.
