The Parliament approved an urgent repeated draft law aimed at the technical extension of municipal and optional councils. The approved extension format states the following: "The term of the current municipal and optional councils will end at the latest by 31/5/2024." During the parliamentary session today, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati pledged to "conduct these elections within the specified deadlines, as soon as possible." Mikati pointed out that "the Cabinet, which will convene later today, has a possible solution represented in amending the dates previously approved by Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, changing May 7 to May 21 and May 14 to May 27."
A heated exchange occurred between Mikati and MP Osama Saad during the legislative session, with Saad claiming that "the government deceived the Lebanese and misled public opinion, saying it was ready for the elections, and now seeks shelter in Parliament after previously promising in its ministerial statement to hold the elections on time and earning the confidence of Parliament on that basis." In response, Mikati said, "You are all lying to the Lebanese." He addressed a segment of the Lebanese, saying, "If you truly do not want to delay the municipal elections, why did you attend today and secure the quorum for the current session?" He considered that "those who do not want a delay do not attend."
Responding to the objections from the MPs of the "Free Patriotic Movement," he remarked, "I did not name you, but it is clear that there is an issue you are hiding."
MP Ahmad Al-Khayer had a heated exchange with MP George Atallah following a criticism of Mikati in the session, stating, "You are only strong against the presidency and when you attack us, we will retaliate." After the session, he noted that "we cannot evade responsibility and shift it to the Prime Minister."
Jebran Bassil, head of the "Free Patriotic Movement," revealed that "the bloc's attendance at Parliament is out of responsibility and to prevent a vacuum in municipal and optional councils," emphasizing, "We will attend legislative sessions if we find it necessary." He stated that "the Interior Ministry is unprepared for the elections," adding, "It is evident that the Interior Minister talks abroad while remaining silent domestically."
For his part, MP Samy Gemayel confirmed that "nothing prevented the government from preparing for the elections and allocating funds for them for months," addressing those who secured the quorum for the unconstitutional extension session: "Why didn't you hold a session months ago to secure the appropriations for conducting the elections instead of delaying them? All excuses are invalid."
The "Kataeb" bloc announced earlier today that "the session to extend the municipal and optional councils is unconstitutional and considered void."
MP Tony Franjieh emphasized after the parliamentary session that "there is a real opportunity to rectify matters in Lebanon," asserting, "We, as Lebanese, need to seek a role in the new regional settlement."
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri opened the legislative session at eleven this morning, in the presence of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the ministers, and 73 MPs. The names of the absent MPs with excuses were read: Bilal Al-Hachimi, Nabil Badr, and Fouad Makzouni. A moment of silence was then requested in memory of former MPs Abdullah Al-Amin and Mikhaiel Daher.
