Title: Patriarch Raï Questions Lawmakers on Election Process

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Raï, during his Sunday mass at the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal See in Bkerke, questioned the lawmakers, saying: "How did you refuse to meet, until now, to elect a president for the republic, and continued the presidential vacancy, while today you convene easily and secure the quorum to postpone another national and democratic constitutional obligation, which is to hold municipal and optional elections, thereby preventing citizens from their constitutional right to express their opinion and elect whom they deem suitable." He added: "You easily show contempt for the people and the constitution and renew the terms of people whose mandates have expired, granted to them by the people through delegation. What a silly and embarrassing reason it is, citing the lack of funds to cover the election costs! Why didn’t you secure the funds before reaching the deadline for this obligation? This is a second absurdity added to the previous one: agreeing on a candidate for the presidency. Where were you, legislative blocs, during the six years of the president's term? What were you doing? Did you not find a candidate? Why didn’t you agree on this person throughout these years? In both of these absurdities, you have demonstrated to the public that you are unworthy of the responsibility entrusted to you."