The change forces took the first step towards discussing the integration of the deputies belonging to them into a single parliamentary bloc during a meeting held the day before yesterday, based on an agreement on a political-economic-social work program. Information from "Asharq Al-Awsat" indicated that the meeting included deputies Melhem Khalaf, Paula Yacoubian, Najat Saliba, Halima Al-Qaqour, Cynthia Zarazir, Ibrahim Mneimneh, Firas Hamdan, Wadih Al-Sadiq, and Rami Fanj, with Michel Doueihi, Mark Daou, Yassine Yassine, and Elias Jarada expected to join later, as they were unable to attend due to their engagements with congratulating visitors for their electoral victories.
A prominent source within the change forces revealed that the deputies will hold an expanded meeting next Monday with the attendance of 13 deputies. The discussion will focus on the unification of the opposition deputies into one bloc, with the preliminary meeting agenda addressing the main political and economic issues of the current phase, related to their role in parliament to help extricate the country from its accumulated crises, without delving into the election of the parliament president, his deputy, and members of the council's bureau.
The possibility of cooperation, on specific issues, with other opposition blocs, particularly those belonging to traditional forces, is not ruled out. However, it was denied that the discussion has touched upon the election of the deputy president of parliament, despite the speculation that they lean towards supporting former Bar Association President Melhem Khalaf for this position, stating that this matter will be discussed in the meeting on Monday and that neither Khalaf nor the others have raised it as a means of gauging opinions.
The same source pointed out that the change forces had proposed the need to change the ruling system, which contradicts the possibility of voting in favor of the current parliament president, Nabih Berri, for a new term, or entering into a bargain that would involve electing him in exchange for electing Khalaf as his deputy. It was confirmed that the decision will depend on the stance taken by the deputies belonging to the change groups.
