All eyes will be on the Nejmeh Square next Tuesday, where the new parliamentary sessions will witness the election of the President and Vice President of the Council, as well as the Council's Bureau, with the outcome confirming President Nabih Berri’s victory with a vote count nearing 65 and possibly more, according to ongoing communications and discussions with several parliamentary blocs to reach an agreement on the Vice President.
The battle for the election of the President of the Parliament and the Vice President is heading towards a decisive split between voting for President Nabih Berri, who is expected to receive the lowest votes since thirty years, and blank votes from all those opposed to his re-election. It has been reported that dialogue is ongoing between the “Lebanese Forces”, the Progressive Socialist Party, the Kataeb Party, the Independence Movement, and several change-oriented MPs. The discussions also include some independent MPs, all of whom are demonstrating positive intentions and cooperative readiness.
The majority of independent sovereign MPs are likely to opt for a blank vote. Sources suggest that all parties are facing a short timeframe to finalize negotiations before Tuesday and agree on a single name, or else attend the parliamentary session in a less favorable manner.
According to “An-Nahar”, the change-oriented MPs are expected to vote with a blank ballot regarding the Parliament presidency, as this option has gained the most support in their discussions. Their number totals 13. Negotiations have yet to yield a specific name for the Deputy Presidency, with discussions still ongoing.
The head of the "Free Patriotic Movement," MP Gibran Bassil, confirmed yesterday through “An-Nahar” the coalition's decision to nominate MP Elias Abu Saab for the Deputy Presidency of the Council, while the "Lebanese Forces" bloc is expected to officially nominate MP Ghassan Hasbani.
“An-Nahar” learned that a majority of the MPs from Akkar who are not affiliated with the "Free Patriotic Movement" are inclined to elect President Nabih Berri for another term. This trend has been solidified with the nomination of MP Saji Atyeh as the Akkari bloc's candidate for the Deputy Presidency. Additionally, the "Democratic Gathering" bloc is also expected to vote in favor of Berri while independent MP Ghassan Skaff is considering his options, with his name having been suggested politically for the Deputy Presidency.
The blocs that have clarified their choices to elect Berri include not only the "Shia duo" and the independent March 8 MPs but also the "Democratic Gathering" and several Sunni MPs who were previously aligned with a path close to "Future Movement."
