Discussion on a Complete Package.. and Eyes on New Developments in 2023

In response to what the head of the "Strong Lebanon" bloc, MP Gebran Bassil, revealed about his intention to launch a new initiative at the beginning of next year, bloc member MP Edgar Traboulsi noted that "the Strong Lebanon bloc is working to ensure agreement on a comprehensive political program that includes the presidency, the government, and guarantees for reforms, not just the election of the president.” In reply to a question about possible names for the presidency, Traboulsi told Al-Anbaa electronic newspaper: “Does Lebanon lack good names based on the assumption that we name the best among us, and when they reach the presidency, they disavow their commitments?” He reminded that "when the bloc nominated General Michel Aoun, the program was in place, and the first two years of the presidency were good, but after that everything ended, and we are not obligated to repeat the same experience. Therefore, we decided to initiate dialogue with other partners to agree on a program and guarantees." Regarding the potential violation of the constitution by agreeing in advance on this entire package, Traboulsi asked: “Is there any provision in the constitution that has not been violated since last year, leading us to where we are now?” He emphasized the need to agree on a comprehensive package to guarantee institutions, predicting a delay in the election of the president in order to reach a dialogue and agreement on all these provisions. As for the bloc's stance on dialogue, should Speaker Nabih Berri renew the call for it at the beginning of the new year, Traboulsi responded: "We have clarified that we are not against dialogue, but we are not in favor of dialogue just for naming the president, but rather for a comprehensive political and economic program."