Although the launch of the opposition forces' latest proposals regarding the resolution of the presidential crisis did not fundamentally come with wide hopes of making a breakthrough that previous internal and external initiatives failed to achieve, it seemed yesterday that the presidential turmoil had rearranged positions and alignments in a climate that somewhat recalled the one that led to the convergence of the opposition and the Free Patriotic Movement on the candidacy of former Minister Jihad Azour, albeit with differences that do not apply to both experiences, according to "An-Nahar."
It is clear from the map of public or covert positions, as well as leaked information, that the opposition's new move encountered a sharp negative reaction from the Shiite duo, expressed yesterday by the Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, who described the opposition's move and its proposals as political vexation, effectively closing the door on a meeting between the opposition forces and the Development and Liberation and Loyalty to the Resistance blocs, continuing what the opposition began yesterday in terms of meetings with parliamentary blocs and independent deputies.
The response from the Democratic Gathering bloc was characterized by coolness, highlighted by a direct expression from one of its members, stating that they found nothing new in the opposition's proposals.
The new dynamic factor characterized by notable openness was announced by the Free Patriotic Movement, which showed its responsiveness to what the opposition presented and positioned itself in the middle of the alignments, advising the opposition and those opposing it to overcome formalities. The stance of the movement can perhaps be classified as a partial intersection with the opposition, but without going far in angering the Shiite duo, considering that the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, is keen on maintaining the recent flexible relationship that led him to Ain al-Tineh.
A committee of opposition deputies met yesterday with several parliamentary blocs in the library hall at the Parliament, including the Democratic Gathering, the National Moderation Bloc, the Strong Lebanon Bloc, as well as the reformist and independent deputies. MP Wael Abu Faour confirmed that the initiative is positive and that more flexibility from all parties is required to reach a solution; however, he stated that they have not seen new ideas that could lead to the election of a president, and it is not correct to say that dialogue raises concerns.
Following these meetings, the political council of the "Free Patriotic Movement," chaired by Bassil, announced that in preparation for the movement to do whatever is necessary to facilitate the election of a president, it expresses its responsiveness to the two proposals presented by opposition deputies for the purpose of consultation for the presidential election. It reiterates that some formalities should be overcome if the outcome is guaranteed to elect a president, as some may consider what was presented by opposition deputies in written proposals as a new custom being introduced into the constitution, while they do not consider it as such, as long as all agree and are committed, both in words and writing, not to regard any consultation format as a new constitutional custom, but rather as an exceptional case that necessitates an attempt to agree on a consensus president; otherwise, it should be elected through democratic competition.
The two conflicting sides, the opposition and those resisting it, were urged to overcome these formalities, and they showed their readiness to present suitable solutions for them, as it has now been agreed upon that the essence is consultation to attempt to agree on a consensus president, and if that fails, the commitment from all is to secure the necessary quorum to hold consecutive sessions according to "An-Nahar."
