As the parliamentary scene becomes clearer following the recent parliamentary elections, and with the anticipation of a call to elect a new Speaker of Parliament, consultations have begun discreetly among the blocs and between allies regarding the shape of the new government that needs to be formed. However, according to the announced positions, the process does not appear to be smooth or straightforward due to disputes among the main powers about how to approach the issue.
While Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, had previously called for the formation of a national unity government and emphasized partnership and cooperation, indicating his party's determination to have a stronger presence in the government, the President of the Free Patriotic Movement, Gebran Bassil, has openly rejected the idea of a "technocratic" government, speaking of a "popular legitimacy that must be recognized regardless of where we stand."
As the Progressive Socialist Party finalizes its stance on the government file during its bloc's first meeting next week, change forces represented by 14 deputies in the current parliament have begun their meetings to finalize their options on multiple issues, while pushing for a government with exceptional powers to handle the extraordinary situation.
Samir Geagea, the President of the Lebanese Forces, clearly stated yesterday that he rejects the formation of a national unity government. Ghassan Hasbani, a deputy from the Lebanese Forces, explained that their final stance on the shape of the government is linked to "clarifying the image of the new parliament and determining the blocs it consists of, and whether there will be a clear majority and a cohesive front to agree on the form of the government; if this happens, it will either be a ruling majority government, provided it is harmonious, or it is preferable to form a government of independents or experts, especially since we are going through a stage that requires working with the International Monetary Fund and putting together rescue plans."
Hasbani noted in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that the expansion of the Lebanese Forces' bloc in Parliament is "a choice of the people who placed their trust in us, which is very important, but the most important thing is the ability to form, alongside other blocs and allies from outside the Christian community, a cohesive majority in Parliament that has a unified vision for the political and economic project, and of course at the sovereign level; if we cannot be united on the upcoming constitutional entitlements, especially regarding the election of the Speaker of Parliament and the President of the Republic."
In contrast, Alain Aoun, a deputy from the Free Patriotic Movement, pointed out that "the claim that we do not proceed with a technocratic government is principled; it means that we cannot deny the political reality produced by the elections, as the political forces that emerged from the popular will have a mandate from the people to manage the country for four years, and naturally, they should be responsible for the government. As for the ministers' choice of whether they would be politicians or technocrats, this is related to the choice of the political forces themselves. We have not yet settled on any option, knowing that the positioning of the (Free Patriotic Movement) bloc in the new council is free from any majorities, and engaging with any other bloc will depend on understandings on the proposed files."
Aoun believes in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that "it is too early to decide on the presidency of the government, as this requires a minimum of consultations, but my hope is that a consensus is reached and that everyone recognizes the need for a government to accompany negotiations with the International Monetary Fund to conclude them, and to provide a guarantee for the continuity of an effective executive authority in case the presidential entitlement is delayed due to the fragmentation of power balances in the new Parliament."
On her part, Bula Yacoubian, a deputy from the Change Forces, affirmed that "all decisions will be made through full participation among the change deputies," pointing out in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that "there are major files we agree on and there is no discussion about, such as not voting for Nabih Berri and demanding a Prime Minister from outside known alignments, along with a government with exceptional powers that works quickly to save the country, in addition to our commitment to international legitimacy decisions, that weapons be in the hands of the state only, Lebanon’s sovereignty, and that we have the best relations with countries and our surroundings."
Dr. Paul Marquess, head of the Justice Organization, believes that "the current composition of Parliament, where there is no clear majority, and importantly, the exceptional situation the country is going through; specifically, the economic, financial, and monetary crisis that requires technical work, make it preferable to have an extraordinary government of independent technocrats rather than representatives of parties," clarifying in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that "under normal circumstances, the government should be political; since the minister, after the Taif Agreement, became a decision-making authority given that most powers of the President of the Republic have transferred to the Council of Ministers as a whole." He adds that "the original principle is that the government should be political, while the exception is that it should be technocratic. In any case, constitutional texts are not explicit in this regard, and we are talking here about the spirit of the text."
Dr. Hilal Khashan, a political science professor at the American University, concludes that according to "the current Lebanese composition; it does not matter which group receives more votes; because the problem is not about changing individuals, but about the confessional system based on quotas, which necessitates changing the current political formula." He predicts in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that "the electoral results will exacerbate the crisis and deepen it; so there may not be a new government in the foreseeable future, nor a President of the Republic by the scheduled date."
Bola Astih - Asharq Al-Awsat
