BEIRUT: MP Michel Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement is preparing to challenge a law that approved the extension of Parliament’s mandate till 2017, according to one of the bloc's MPs.
“The FPM is seriously mulling the issue [challenge] within the legal 15-day deadline from the day the law is published in the Official Gazette,” MP Ibrahim Kanaan told El-Nashra website.
He said the appeal would be based on the absence of the concept of "force majeure," which prevents the holding of parliamentary elections, pointing out that Lebanon is not witnessing a devastating war, but specific security operations that are being dealt with.
"If Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Yemen were able to hold elections despite the [unrest] they have witnessed and are still witnessing, how come we are not able [to hold elections],” Kanaan argued.
He said that Article 74 of the Constitution clearly stated that in the event of a presidential vacancy or dissolution of Parliament, the government must immediately call for elections.
“Therefore, there are no constitutional excuses to prevent holding parliamentary elections,” Kanaan added.
Kanaan said the FPM was considering other options to address the extension issue, including “union” and “popular” actions.
The MP, however, acknowledged that his party was likely to face “significant barriers” in confronting the extension.
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