A statement was issued by the elected representative Raji Al-Saad as follows: The government, which is not mourned at the end of its term, insisted on committing sins in its last session, violating the simplest constitutional and moral principles of governance, as it violated the will of the Lebanese people expressed in the parliamentary elections aimed at changing the existing approach. This was done by resorting to a series of decisions on critically important matters, as if it were permissible for a constitutionally fallen government to bind any new government and the parliament with decisions for which this outgoing government would not be held accountable, as it has now become resigned according to the constitution.
Thus, in its final hours, the government of President Najib Mikati resorted to approving what it called the "Financial Recovery Plan," a plan that it had concealed from the Lebanese people, the parliament, and public opinion for months because it did not dare to present it for open and transparent discussion that serves the interests of the Lebanese people, their economy, and their future. It attempted to sneak it through in the last session without actual debate, despite the objections of several ministers.
Is it acceptable, for example, to "sneak" such an important and sensitive plan in this manner, without reviewing its details, understanding its vision, how to stop the bleeding, allocating responsibilities, and commencing recovery, instead of the plan undergoing extensive discussion within institutions, among specialists, and with public opinion?
The government also withdrew the specifications document for contracting gas-powered electricity plants in Baddawi and Zahrani, thereby yielding to the desires of those who have obstructed all electricity projects and caused total darkness, continuing the previous approach of obstruction in search of deals and commissions.
We will not dwell on the relentless wasteful spending undertaken by the outgoing government, ignoring the fact that the treasury is bankrupt and the general budget is in extreme collapse. However, we ask: From what funds and accounts is this government spending, given its inability to collect revenues? How does it extend its hand to what remains of depositors' funds and special drawing rights in the absence of any strategy to compensate for such an agreement in hard currencies?
What the Lebanese asked for in the last elections is to achieve a radical change in performance instead of continuing the same outdated policies and methods. As elected representatives, especially as young members, we have no choice but to reflect the aspirations of the Lebanese people, regardless of their affiliations. Therefore, we will not remain silent about what has happened, and we will hold accountable those responsible for the haphazard and improvised decisions that were made nonsensically. What this government has approved will not pass in the parliament, where we will be keen on the rights of the Lebanese people and their future, and on confronting attempts to persist in the methods, performance, and policies that have led Lebanon to the depths of hell. We will attend every session of any government, along with its agenda and decisions, and we will monitor the performance, conduct, and signatures of each minister during the caretaker period, starting with the Prime Minister, because the time for carelessness in managing the state has passed for good.
