The statement by the President of the Parliament Nabih Berri that he will not call for a session to elect a President of the Republic until the necessary reforms required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are approved carries multiple interpretations. It thus allows for various readings and speculations regarding the connection between this stance and the positions and demands, at least internationally, concerning the election, which has begun to dominate local, regional, and even international concerns. This is particularly crucial as it has become a pivotal point in the trajectory of the Lebanese crisis, specifically in terms of continuing the negative deterioration leading to a significant downfall, versus the required resurgence given that the crisis has reached its peak and threatens to extend to neighboring countries amid rising threats from Hezbollah related to the maritime border demarcation issue.
It has been learned that President Berri intends to invite lawmakers to a session to elect the president on September 5, a fact he shared with many diplomats he recently met. MP Qassem Hashem from the Development and Liberation bloc stated to "Al-Markazia": "It is natural for President Berri to invite the deputies to elect the president as the constitutional deadline begins on September 1, with a foundation in the positive atmosphere that will reflect on the political life and general situation in the country, especially if there is a consensus on the prospective president who is supposed to be open-minded and rescue-oriented, working to halt the deterioration and restore the country to the right path."
He added: "Regarding President Berri's statement that he will not invite the session before the reforms are approved, this is constructive rhetoric aimed at meeting the demands of the IMF and the Arab and Western world in implementing reforms that the legislative authority, unfortunately, seems to be lacking in, particularly concerning the appointment of regulatory bodies in electricity, the airport, and other departments. It is well understood that implementing reforms is the mandatory path to exit the financial crisis that the country is struggling with."
He concluded: "With President Berri's good communication and relations with other parties, he has begun preparing with his associated team to set the zero hour for the presidential election session. Lawmakers must be ready to meet their responsibilities starting from the first of next month, which marks the beginning of the constitutional deadline."
