Anyone betting on a development in the presidential file before the country enters the holiday break finds themselves compelled to reconsider their calculations, as there is significant difficulty in achieving a breakthrough. The deadlock will remain, and stagnation will prevail, while external movements focus on issues related to the concerned countries. Lebanon is present in some details and discussions about a supportive European initiative for Army Commander Joseph Aoun, which is still in its early stages.
Before the holiday begins, no positive results from recent moves are expected, although the revival of the dialogue proposal desired by Speaker Nabih Berri is likely. However, the problem lies in the complete absence of responders to it. This means that the motors regarding the presidential elections will remain stalled, and this is reinforced by the atmosphere of the electoral sessions which only show opposition candidate Michel Mouawad engaged in the battle, evidenced by his positions following each session.
It is clear that there is no serious roadmap regarding this file, meaning a continuation of the same cycle with numbers and blank and annulled ballots. It is evident that no one is capable of drafting the initial lines or a draft for this roadmap.
This atmosphere, which makes it impossible to conduct presidential elections, has prompted exploratory communications about the possibility of holding a Cabinet session aimed at social issues, serving as a launching signal for upcoming sessions should the first session yield a conducive atmosphere amidst the vacancy and the caretaker government.
If things proceed as caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati wishes, a call for a Cabinet meeting may soon be issued, with the understanding that constitutional opinions regarding the meeting's status vary. Some experts discuss its unconstitutionality due to the impossibility of convening under vacancy conditions, especially since the government is conducting its work, while others consider this possibility without any issues, not neglecting the "no" of the Free Patriotic Movement regarding the sessions.
On the presidential file, informed political sources told "Al-Liwaa" that this file has entered a phase of complexity due to the impossibility of reaching an agreement at a time when Speaker Nabih Berri's discontent is evident from the direct and indirect hints from lawmakers urging him not to intervene to stop what the lawmakers have termed an electoral farce. It has been stated that President Berri has previously announced that consensus is the only way to elect a new president for the country.
These sources express their belief that there is no serious dialogue on the table and that local initiatives are stalled, while the concerned parties in the presidential file are holding onto specific ideas to present at a certain time. However, it is evident that those involved in the presidency are more convinced by the idea of a vacuum than in the pursuit of electing a new president for the country, a sentiment reflected in the ongoing dealings with this file, despite the fact that very few complain about the absence of efforts.
These sources point out that there are no immediate surprises in candidacies or even changes in the method of choices, as everyone possesses alternative plans that will appear when necessary.
Mikati does not wish for a new clash, especially with the Free Patriotic Movement, but the issue of hospitals has imposed itself on discussions.
Regarding the convening of a government session, the file has not landed on a decisive path, and the matter remains subject to back-and-forth. It is certain that President Mikati does not intend to call for a truncated Cabinet meeting; thus, he seeks clear answers on the participation of ministers. Reports indicate that a significant number would not object since issues are urgent. However, the same sources stress that if the session is held, it signifies that the door has been opened for sporadic sessions, and it may lead to an agreement to hold meetings of urgent necessity, which does not mean a constitutional breach.
It is reported that no new clashes are desired, and President Mikati has remained cautious regarding the call for a session, but the emergence of the hospital issue has prompted a reevaluation of his decision, which does not mean a confrontation with anyone, particularly the Free Patriotic Movement.
It is believed that the prolonged vacancy and the need for executive decisions necessitate a Cabinet's action, whether today or, without a doubt, tomorrow. There is a call to await the results of communications concerning the assembly of the first Cabinet session during the vacancy period.
In the absence of any solution that leads to the completion of the presidential elections, matters remain open to undermining the work of constitutional institutions, thus any government session may serve as an initial test in dealing with this vacancy.
