Christian Leaders to Disavow Fated Parliament Extension

With all signs being available to indicate that the Parliament’s term will be certainly extended, stances voiced by Christians leaders  and figureheads usher in a pitched “overbidding battle” during which magnates will jostle to vindicate their democratic “reputation” by announcing utter rejection of said extension.

Political sources expected that both al-Mustaqbal leader Saad Hariri and Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat would pave way for the legislature’s term extension, by coming out in support of said plan should the presidential impasse drag on.

During his recent meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri, Hariri warned the latter against an Iraq-style scenario, referring to large-scale void, should parliamentary elections be staged prior to the election of new president, the Kuwaiti al-Rai newspaper reported.

Same sources revealed that Speaker Berri has decided to use the parliament extension as a card to pressure the lawmakers into resuming their legislative work and to push towards the revitalization of the legislature’s functioning. It is worth noting that lawmakers affiliated to the March 14 coalition as well as the Change and Reform bloc, had vowed not to attend legislative sessions in Parliament until a president is elected.

Meanwhile, major Christian forces will likely resort to outbids as to steal the show in their purported fight in defense of democracy. Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, whose parliamentary Change and Reform bloc opposed last year’s extension of Parliament’s term, vowed once again to vote against a new extension.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea also voiced his utter opposition to extend Parliament’s mandate, stressing instead, in an interview with MTV, that holding the parliamentary polls is the ultimate solution.