A member of the Development and Liberation Bloc, Muhammad Khawaja, believes that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is powerless to change the current political deadlock. According to him, there is an existing equation that governs the country and Speaker Berri, or anyone else for that matter, cannot change this reality. Khawaja stresses that unless all the parties come together and find common ground, there can be no solutions.
Khawaja even goes so far as to say that if Speaker Berri calls for a legislative session, Christian representatives will not participate. The fate of the municipal elections is questioned in this scenario, but Khawaja says that if the government provides funding and logistics, the elections can still proceed without having to return to parliament. However, he also notes that most blocs are not in favor of conducting these elections.
There is even an accusation circulating that the Shia duo is the reason for the lack of elections. It is claimed that they have already agreed on the matter amongst themselves. But despite the numerous reasons why elections cannot be held, Khawaja stresses that municipalities can only be extended by law, even for just one day.
A member of the Development and Liberation Bloc, Muhammad Khawaja, considers that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri can no longer do anything in light of the continued political intransigence, pointing to the existence of an equation that governs the country. Neither Speaker Berri nor anyone else can change reality.
And he confirms that if all the components do not sit together, nothing will change, and there is no room for solutions except by agreement.
Even Representative Khawaja rules out that if Speaker Berri calls for a legislative session, Christian representatives will participate.
So what is the fate of the municipal elections if there is no session? He answers that if the government provides funding for the elections and logistical matters, it can complete the elections without returning to the parliament. And he says: If the money is available, the elections will be completed, but most of the blocs do not want to accomplish them.
But there is an accusation that the Shiite duo is the one who does not want the elections? It is asserted that the most comfortable team is the Shiite duo, because matters are settled between each other, whether it is in the south, in the Bekaa, or in the suburbs, in agreement with the families.
He conveys what many argue that elections are not the time today because of the economic situation, the vacuum, and our financial and monetary situation, but he adds that the extension to municipalities is only valid by law, even if for one day you want a law.
In conclusion, the current political intransigence in Lebanon seems to have reached a point where even the Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri can do little to change the reality of the situation. The need for all components to come together and reach an agreement is paramount, especially when it comes to issues such as the fate of municipal elections. The accusation that the Shiite duo is the one obstructing the elections is a matter of debate, but what is clear is that if the government allocates funding and logistical support, the elections can proceed without a legislative session. However, many argue that given the economic and financial situation in Lebanon, perhaps now is not the right time for elections. Ultimately, as Representative Khawaja points out, the extension to municipalities is only valid by law, and perhaps what is needed is a new agreement that takes into account the reality on the ground.