The second session for government accountability commenced today at 11 a.m. in the Nijmeh Square.
Hamadeh
At the beginning of the session, MP Marwan Hamadeh urged the Constitutional Council to expedite the decision on the General Amnesty Law. Hamadeh appealed to the inmates at Roumieh to suspend their strike, citing institutional constraints due to the constitutional process.
Atiyeh
MP Sajih Atiyeh noted that some ministers have performed notably well, commending their efforts and highlighting positive developments in finance and public works. However, he asserted that the government's overall productivity could be improved, stressing that the electricity issue requires genuine attention and resolution.
Photography by: Abbas Salman
Yacoubyan
MP Paula Yacoubyan stated, "Lebanon's greatest setbacks have been due to straying from the state, bringing foreign wars onto our soil, and disregarding governmental decisions on arms control. Israeli ambitions are clear, but we fail to understand why the unoccupied South isn't handed back to the Lebanese state to prioritize civilian protection."
She posed a question: Why doesn't 'Hezbollah' hand over its leverage to the Lebanese state instead of keeping it in Iran? Transferring control to the Lebanese army would spare citizens many hardships. Any assistance Lebanon needs is tied to an IMF agreement, and everyone understands this. She called for passing the "Positive Neutrality" law to safeguard Lebanon post-conflict.
She emphasized that administrative decentralization could change the nation's landscape, easing populist rhetoric across various issues.
Hout
MP Imad Al-Hout declared, "Lebanese citizens need electricity, and the state can't impose taxes on a stagnant economy." He advocated for a national portfolio of ready-to-invest projects across sectors, stating that investors need a trustworthy state and institutions.
He added, "We want the 2027 budget to inform us how it will expand the economy and increase investment." He also called for a comprehensive plan for Beirut, starting with the port, public transport, infrastructure, and making the city weapon-free.
Mneimneh
MP Ibrahim Mneimneh expressed that the public backs the government in reclaiming the state but urged not to overburden it, calling for engagement with citizen concerns. Mneimneh stated a commitment to governmental institutions, emphasizing that their cause is to reclaim state authority.
He advocated for peace, war, and negotiation decisions to return to the state's hands. Before the session, MP Melhem Riachy remarked on the unlikelihood of Bassil questioning government confidence. Meanwhile, MP Qassem Hashem mentioned aligning confidence renewal with "the Free Patriotic Movement's" stance.
MP Wadah Saadak commented on understanding "the movement's opposition," asserting they haven't embezzled deposits or squandered $30 billion on electricity nor signed agreements with "Hezbollah." He dismissed populism as a known theatrical act, suggesting public skepticism.
MP Ghassan Atallah shared that their stance on government confidence is undecided and contingent upon future propositions.