Lebanese Forces (LF) party leader Samir Geagea argued that in the presence of two presidential candidates backed by major blocs, “there is a chance” to elect a new head of state, stressing that those who abstain from voting “would be contributing to maintaining the presidential void.”
Geagea expressed disappointment with certain MPs who decided to cast blank votes although they are supposed to be part of the opposition to Hezbollah.
“Despite all the hardships the country is facing, we hear several MPs stating that they will not vote for any candidate under the pretext of not accepting alignments. What is even worse is that they claim to advocate for change, reform, and belonging to the opposition,” Geagea said.
The LF leader also blasted MPs who insinuated that they would be voting for a “third candidate”, adding that this would prolong the vacancy.
North Lebanon MP Adib Abdel Massih of the Renewal Bloc noted that Azour would possibly receive 70 votes or more on Wednesday.
In an interview with local radio station “Sawt Lubnan”, Abdel Massih requested that “the session remain open until a president is elected as stipulated by the constitution”. He also urged Amal and Hezbollah not to obstruct the session “to avoid undermining democratic practice as mandated by the constitution.”
Change MP Elias Jarade expressed doubt that a president would be elected next week. “Diversity of opinion should not be condemned. It is a necessity for democracy, as each parliamentarian would elect the candidate he deems suitable, and everyone should accept the outcome.”
Azour, the current director of the Middle East and Central Asia at the International Monetary Fund, is backed by the LF, the Free Patriotic Movement, and the Kataeb, in addition to Renewal bloc MPs and the Democratic Gathering bloc led by Druze MP Taymour Jumblat. The other candidate is Hezbollah-Amal backed Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh.
