Hezbollah's efforts in forming the government to avoid entering into contradictory constitutional deadlocks that could expose the country to a devastating comprehensive vacuum have led to an agreement achieved in recent days. The concerned parties have become convinced of the necessity to agree on forming a new government that will take over when the president's term ends through a constitutional means that cannot be contested or paralyzed, if a new president is not elected. This is particularly important since the Free Patriotic Movement has threatened to withdraw from the current government if the designated Prime Minister Najib Mikati insists on keeping it as it is, making the possibility of the current government assuming the powers of the presidency extremely difficult amidst escalating clashes that will likely affect the remaining resilient circles and institutions of the state, which are suffering from decay and collapse.
In conclusion, according to sources, a fully constitutional government will soon come into existence, leaving no room for interpretation and involving only minor adjustments to the current government, limited to four portfolios representing the four main sects: Christian, Sunni, Shia, and Druze. The portfolios subject to change include the ministries of economy, finance, and displaced persons, in addition to one Christian portfolio held by close associates of the Free Patriotic Movement. An agreement on alternative names will be reached quickly, and the current government will remain—new in its ministerial statement—with minor adjustments to meet the requirements of the International Monetary Fund.
Member of the Strong Lebanon Bloc, MP Edgard Traboulsi, tells "Al-Markazia": "There is no doubt that there is a breakthrough in terms of forming the government, and we hope it will reflect on the presidential file, regardless of who facilitated and pushed towards overcoming the obstacles to the formation, as they have spared the country a constitutional crisis that would have certainly occurred with the end of the term and the inability to elect a new president."
Regarding the possibility of the "Movement" withdrawing its ministers from the government if no alternative is formed, he says: "That is natural, and it is a step we intended to take if the governmental situation remains as it is and if President Mikati insists on heading a resigned government while being tasked with forming a new government. The Movement does not accept this situation at all and completely rejects that an incomplete government should assume presidential duties."
Concerning the qualifications of the next president, Traboulsi supports the specifications set by Patriarch Raï, "specifically that they do not challenge anyone and enjoy broad representation in their environment to maintain what remains of the powers of the presidency. As for our classification by some as part of the resistance axis and calling for a sovereign president, we ask these people about their history and present, and what qualifies them to preach about integrity.”
