Geagea Warns of Return to ‘Troika,’ Criticizes Management of Parliament
12/19/2025 2:50:00 PM
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said that developments witnessed yesterday “do not bode well,” warning of signs pointing to the return of the former “troika” model. Speaking at a press conference in Maarab, Geagea said he understands the position of the so-called “Axis of Resistance” in blocking any parliamentary session addressing the electoral law, but questioned the stance of other political forces.
He noted that yesterday’s session was held under the pretext of passing “livelihood-related laws,” yet argued that the core problem lies in the way Parliament is being run. “If the management of Parliament is flawed, correct results cannot be achieved,” he said.
Geagea accused the three top leaders of “collusion” in securing quorum for the session, stressing that his party has no personal issue with Speaker Nabih Berri, but rather objects to the manner in which Parliament is managed. He said Article 5 of Parliament’s internal bylaws obliges the Speaker to safeguard Parliament’s interests, adding: “Mr. Speaker, you are required to protect the interests of Parliament, not your personal interests.”
Geagea emphasized that Speaker Berri’s authority is not absolute but bound by internal regulations, accusing him of exercising power for 35 years “as if it were unlimited.” Geagea added that all justifications given for holding the session were marginal compared to the broader issue of parliamentary governance.
Geagea also said Prime Minister Nawaf Salam should have revisited the fast-tracked electoral law proposal with Speaker Berri, expressing disappointment that Salam attended the session “as if nothing had happened,” despite their personal friendship.
Addressing expatriates, Geagea said many injustices are being committed against them and urged them not to believe misleading narratives, accusing the Speaker of opposing expatriate voting abroad. He concluded by calling on expatriates, should efforts fail to secure their right to vote where they reside, to travel to Lebanon on election day to cast their ballots and “correct the current course.”
He noted that yesterday’s session was held under the pretext of passing “livelihood-related laws,” yet argued that the core problem lies in the way Parliament is being run. “If the management of Parliament is flawed, correct results cannot be achieved,” he said.
Geagea accused the three top leaders of “collusion” in securing quorum for the session, stressing that his party has no personal issue with Speaker Nabih Berri, but rather objects to the manner in which Parliament is managed. He said Article 5 of Parliament’s internal bylaws obliges the Speaker to safeguard Parliament’s interests, adding: “Mr. Speaker, you are required to protect the interests of Parliament, not your personal interests.”
Geagea emphasized that Speaker Berri’s authority is not absolute but bound by internal regulations, accusing him of exercising power for 35 years “as if it were unlimited.” Geagea added that all justifications given for holding the session were marginal compared to the broader issue of parliamentary governance.
Geagea also said Prime Minister Nawaf Salam should have revisited the fast-tracked electoral law proposal with Speaker Berri, expressing disappointment that Salam attended the session “as if nothing had happened,” despite their personal friendship.
Addressing expatriates, Geagea said many injustices are being committed against them and urged them not to believe misleading narratives, accusing the Speaker of opposing expatriate voting abroad. He concluded by calling on expatriates, should efforts fail to secure their right to vote where they reside, to travel to Lebanon on election day to cast their ballots and “correct the current course.”