The House of Representatives will hold a session next Tuesday to “renew its internal makeup” as the second regular session of the council begins, ending late this year. President Nabih Berri has called for a general session at 11 AM on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, to elect two secretaries, three commissioners, and committee members. This session will be followed by another legislative session.
Parliamentary sources, through "Akhbar Al-Yawm," have ruled out any major changes to the members or heads of the parliamentary committees, as well as the two secretaries and the three commissioners. However, they pointed out that change deputies will demand the presidency of a committee since they did not receive any in the last session after the parliamentary elections in June last year. Some other blocs also have the same demand.
While change deputies will emphasize the need for committee leadership and wider membership, current data suggests no notable changes in the committee elections and membership, and therefore in the members of the council's bureau, especially since the session will be brief and will be followed by a legislative session where several important laws and proposals will be approved, including a re-vote on the bank secrecy law and the signing of agreements. It may also be possible to discuss the restructuring of banks and other reform proposals, as there is a push to start approving these reforms under this government, even if the country enters a phase of presidential vacancy.
Parliamentary sources confirmed that attention will shift after the signing of the agreement on the southern maritime border to the approval of reforms and the financial recovery plan, along with other laws that Lebanon needs to undertake to begin a new phase of obligations. In response to a question, the sources indicated that there is an effort to complete as many of these projects and proposals as possible before the end of the year because if a vacancy occurs and continues into the next year, there will be no opportunity to open an extraordinary session for the council, as the authority to sign the decree to open this session and set its agenda lies with the President of the Republic.
