The legislative session today did not reach a quorum, which included the agenda item for the "sovereign fund," alongside the "capital control" law that has sparked considerable debate. The session was accompanied by a sit-in by the "Depositors' Cry" Association. The Secretary-General of the Parliament, Adnan Daher, announced the postponement of the session due to the lack of quorum, which reached 53 deputies from the "Development and Liberation" bloc, "Loyalty to the Resistance," "Democratic Gathering," "National Moderation Bloc," and some independent deputies. The parliamentary blocs that boycotted the session are "Strong Lebanon," "The Strong Republic," "Kataeb," and "Change" deputies. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, following his meeting with Speaker of the House Nabih Berri, said, "I am very surprised when some say they attend the Parliament for essential legislation only; is there anything more urgent than the projects on today's agenda? In countries that faced economic crises similar to ours, the Parliament was in permanent session, and within three days, urgent laws were approved to resolve the crises, leading to solutions that ended those crises. Yet in Lebanon, we have been discussing 'capital control' for four years without reaching a conclusion, neither in the plenary session nor in finding a solution." He added, "The Parliament has numerous law proposals related to the recovery plan and restructuring banks, the financial gap, all of which require an immediate solution, and if the Parliament does not meet to approve them in a single basket, there will be no economic stability in the country. We have reached a very difficult stage, and our economy is shifting to a cash economy, which will expose Lebanon to many risks if the law for bank restructuring is not approved," stressing that "it is crucial to restore normal banking life to enable us to get out of this crisis, otherwise we will enter a series of crises, and the situation will become more difficult. If we do not reach a solution, everyone must bear their responsibility." In response to a question, he noted that "the new electricity crisis is being addressed."
Ali Hassan Khalil, a member of the "Development and Liberation" bloc, mentioned that "Speaker Nabih Berri worked to find an acceptable limit of laws proposed in the Parliament session, but there was no response, and this is linked to the logic of obstruction." He pointed out in a statement from Parliament that "the obstruction that occurred is similar to the obstruction of dialogue to elect a President of the Republic," explaining that "we bet on the dialogue between Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement for the future."
He also stressed that "the Parliament can legislate in the absence of a President of the Republic."
Democratic Gathering member, MP Hadi Abu al-Hassan, confirmed that "the Democratic Gathering's position is unified, and our participation is against the principle of obstructing institutions, and we support the principle of legislation and will invite all blocs to attend." Member Bilal Abdullah also emphasized that "as the Democratic Gathering, we have been and will remain against the obstruction of constitutional institutions." He affirmed, in a statement from Parliament, that "medications for chronic diseases are at risk and we hope these issues are addressed," clarifying that "the French message has reached Progressive Socialist Party leader Taymour Jumblatt, and it is his to address."
MP Neemat Afram confirmed, before participating in the plenary legislative session, that "only essential legislation should be undertaken today and we requested the withdrawal of some items; otherwise, we will leave the session."
Meanwhile, Kataeb MP Selim Saigh indicated from Nejmeh Square that "the Parliament is heading to a 'place outside the constitution,' evidenced by the MPs' boycott of the legislative session." Regarding the French initiative, he stated, "We expressed our opinion to the French envoy and welcome his initiative, but there is no point in meeting with all political forces, and the quorum for this session cannot be secured as it aims to disrupt balances."
Before the start of the general legislative session, Speaker Nabih Berri met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati in Parliament.
Simultaneously, depositors gathered at the entrance of Parliament in response to a call from the "Depositors' Cry" Association to "prevent deputies from entering the council to approve the capital control law," raising banners demanding the "recovery of their legitimate rights from the banks." Khalil Barmana, a member of the "Depositors' Cry" Association, delivered a speech stressing the "full restoration of deposits from banks without any deceit to steal depositors' money through the capital control law, and the banks, not the depositors, must bear the losses," asserting that those "who steal people's deposits will face the consequences from the depositors."
In an interview, MP Elias Grady pointed out that "our absence from today's legislative session is a protest against the capital control law and all the proposed laws, considering their lack of transparency and clarity." Grady stated, "The capital control law is a crucial step within the economic revival, yet it cannot be passed this way and without an economic plan and knowing the deposits," noting that "we are against any classification of depositors' money between due or not due."
Regarding the "sovereign fund" law, Grady questioned, "Where are its effects? How will it be distributed? And where is the independent body?"
Additionally, activities were recorded by the general student union (Lebanese University students) in several neighborhoods of Beirut, including in front of Parliament, protesting against increased registration fees. They demanded the rescue of the Lebanese University, urging the administration to seek alternative funding solutions without placing an additional burden on students. They condemned the administration's silence on the PCR file, which was supposed to secure the Lebanese University an amount estimated at $52 million, which has yet to be realized.
