Member of the "Change Deputies" bloc, MP Yassin Yassin, indicated that the bloc's deputies will attend the second session to elect a new president armed with four names: Nassif Hatti, Ziad Baroud, Salah Hennine, and Salim Edde. These names align with the criteria included in the presidential initiative proposed by the bloc, and a name will be chosen from among these candidates prior to the session after consultations among the bloc's deputies. He dismissed the notion that the second session would be decisive in electing the future president, as the political system's bet is on bringing in a president who is loyal to it and meets its interests, which is something we reject.
In a statement to the Kuwaiti "Al-Anbaa," Yassin confirmed that the Change Deputies bloc had previously presented its presidential initiative and consulted about it with parliamentary blocs, with its core focus being the Lebanese approach to the presidential entitlement. The president should be independent of the March 14 and March 8 forces and not a confrontational figure, but someone who meets the aspirations of the Lebanese who have suffered for six harsh years, with the last two being the most severe due to the multiple crises faced.
Yassin expressed his belief that the option to deny the quorum will also apply to the second session called by President Nabih Berri, based on clear signals from National Movement leader Gibran Bassil that the March 8 team, along with the Aounist bloc, has not yet finalized its presidential choices.
He noted that the outcome of the first parliamentary session to elect a president was not surprising, as the white ballot prevailed, intended to send a strong message and demonstrate the orientations of the parliamentary blocs. He considered that the ruling team would not announce its candidate unless the quorum was met for any session. He expressed concern that systematic disruptions to the quorum for voting sessions could lead to a vacancy in the presidency, coinciding with the end of President Michel Aoun's term.
Regarding the opposition's call to converge with the Change Deputies on a single candidate for the presidency as a way to cut off the other team's path, Yassin confirmed that they will not be part of any political alignments. Their stance is based on their presidential initiative, specifying the required characteristics of the president, and aiming to present themselves as a third option that facilitates the Lebanese attaining their aspirations. They have extended a hand to anyone willing to adopt this initiative, not based on alliances, but with the aim of working for the benefit of the Lebanese.
On government formation, Yassin stated that the governmental entitlement is contingent on the demands put forth by the Aounist bloc to keep the caretaker government afloat. He stressed that they are racing against time, and achieving the election of a new president and the formation of a new government has become a pressing necessity to prevent Lebanon from falling into constitutional chaos. He voiced concerns about whether a caretaker government could assume the powers of the presidency if President Michel Aoun leaves Baabda Palace before a new president is elected, fearing that matters could spiral down in Lebanon, which is already suffering from political, economic, and security fragility.
