Positive atmospheres have circulated regarding the possibility of government formation by the end of this week. It was expected that the designated Prime Minister Najib Mikati would visit President Michel Aoun to discuss this matter after good signs emerged publicly. Minor adjustments to the current governmental composition were anticipated, which Aoun would approve, insisting on handing over presidential powers to an effective government, rather than to a caretaker one. However, information leaked about Bassil raising his conditions, which resulted in postponing the meeting and resolving the issue.
Political sources linked the dissipating positive governmental atmosphere to Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri's call for an electoral session. They stated in an interview with "Anbaa" electronic newspaper that "Berri called for a session to increase pressure on Bassil, as if the Parliament began an electoral cycle and did not conclude it with a clear and explicit record, it loses its authority regarding holding legislative sessions or others to grant the new government confidence if formed, knowing that Bassil wants a new government to take over presidential powers instead of a caretaker government."
In this context, it was noted that "Berri's return from opening an electoral session remains dependent on Bassil lowering the ceiling of governmental conditions he established. Here, it is necessary to remember that Berri was not in a hurry to call for an electoral session; he preferred to hold legislative sessions to pass some laws, including banking secrecy, which Aoun rejected, and to wait until ensuring a minimum agreement on a name for the presidency, which is not available to date."
Sources close to the "Amal" movement denied any link between the cancellation of the Aoun-Mikati meeting and Berri's call for an electoral session, emphasizing that "the call is purely a constitutional duty, and the Speaker may have sensed a minimum agreement among the parties after the budget was approved, and the hope remains in dialogue before the session to build on what is necessary."
The sources, in conversation with "Anbaa" electronic newspaper, ruled out Berri postponing the session, noting that "the short period between the call and the session date does not indicate a delay," but they left open the possibility of contacts with Berri today that might lead to postponement to ensure broader consensus.
Regarding the governmental issue, the sources pointed out that "the atmosphere is positive and there are signs of hope; the meeting between Presidents Aoun and Mikati was supposed to take place but was postponed, and the reason might be Mikati's intention to find a larger space for meeting and more mutual points to resolve the file."
Member of the "Strong Lebanon" bloc, MP Cesar Abi Khalil, framed the electoral session within its constitutional context and also ruled out political backgrounds, considering the session is natural at this time as it falls within the timeframe set by the constitution.
In a call with "Anbaa" electronic news, he revealed that the bloc's direction is toward attending the session and not obstructing it, but discussions are open to reach a decision regarding this matter. As for the government, he emphasized the need for Mikati to recognize the importance of forming a government under the current circumstances in the country, particularly with the possibility of falling into a vacancy, which is something we do not want but may happen, necessitating an original government to assume powers rather than a caretaker government.
