MPs from the "Lebanese Forces" party, "Renewal" party, and several MPs from the independents and reformists have filed a challenge before the Constitutional Council regarding the constitutionality of Law No. 310, issued on April 19, 2023, which pertains to extending the terms of municipal and elective councils. They requested to suspend its implementation and nullify it. The MPs include: Adib Abd al-Masih, Ashraf Rifi, Elias Jarada, Elias Hankash, Sami Gemayel, Selim Sayegh, Charbel Massad, Fouad Makhzoumi, Mark Daou, Michel Douaihy, Michel Daher, Michel Moawad, Nadim Gemayel, and Wadah al-Sadek.
Moawad: "The Constitutional Council Faces a Challenge"
The head of the "Independence Movement," MP Michel Moawad, stated in front of the Constitutional Council, "We have decided, along with the LF and renewal MPs, to file a challenge against the law extending the municipal and elective councils in defense of the rights of the Lebanese people and to preserve what remains of the state." He emphasized, "We are determined to keep our fight under the auspices of the constitution. The Constitutional Council is facing a challenge today because this is what preserves the trust of the Lebanese in institutions." Moawad underscored the importance of coordination among opposition parties, noting, "We considered that for legal technical reasons, filing more than one challenge is better than a single one, and this is not related to coordination."
Al-Sadek: The Authority Wants Total Control
MP Wadah al-Sadek confirmed the ongoing efforts through state institutions to limit abuses of the law and violations of the constitution. He argued that "through this extension, Lebanese citizens are being prevented from expressing their opinions in their municipalities, whereas municipalities can be a refuge for solving living and economic crises." He added, "The authority aims to impose its total control over the entire state, especially over municipalities and local leaders, which is why the current councils were extended."
Hankash: We Will Not Accept Postponing Constitutional Entitlements
MP Elias Hankash emphasized that "as MPs from the Lebanese Forces and the opposition, we are fulfilling our duties towards the people who entrusted us and towards the level to which the country has reached regarding the postponement of all entitlements, especially in light of the presidential vacancy. It is unacceptable for us to agree to postpone all constitutional entitlements. Either we are serious about rebuilding the country or we are not." He added, "We have come to challenge this postponement, with a different approach because we need to shed light on several issues from a technical perspective, particularly regarding the addition of certain provisions to the law after its passage in Parliament. This is a scandal, and we challenge this approach. We hope the Constitutional Council meets this challenge, and we await the Council's decision and orientation in this regard."
The MPs based their challenge on the violation of seven constitutional articles and four paragraphs in the preamble of the constitution, along with several binding constitutional principles, part of which is related to the democratic system and elections, another part to the presidential vacancy, the Parliament's failure to fulfill its constitutional duties, and a final part related to the adopted text and its dubious justifications.
