together we stand to get lebanon back on the track to recover its democracy and rule of law

8/12/2019 Together we stand to get Lebanon back on the track to recover its democracy and rule of law.

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Together we stand to get Lebanon back on the track to recover its

democracy and rule of law.

Appeal issued by the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections

After over ten months of delay due to intentional obstruction and paralysis resulting from acute

political polarization, a government has finally seen the light. Its creation has put an end, albeit

temporary, to the highway towards institutional vacuum and reactivated the role of the executive

authority, which is supposed to be in charge of managing the states affairs. The formation of a

new cabinet is indeed a very positive event, since it will prevent the exacerbation of the situation

in the country. In fact, the news of its creation promoted a sense of concord between different

political parties. Although during the past few months we thought that they were heading

towards a final divorce, it seems that these political parties are finally patching things up under

the umbrella of this government. We wished that this calm and harmony would have prevailed

months ago.

We are aware that, in principle, this government will not live for more than four months and that

its term will end with the election of a new president, after which the ourney of creating a new

government will start over again. We are also aware that this government has well!determined

and limited tas"s. #owever, no matter how limited they may be, they are still highly important,

and they should not be ta"en lightly.

We call upon it to assume its responsibilities fully and with all seriousness. $A%& would li"e tota"e advantage of its position to call upon the government to grant priority to the following

issues'

(. )aintaining security in all regions, which is the absolute priority.

*. +ontributing positively in setting the scene to conduct the presidential election on time.

. Immediately underta"ing the needed steps in order to carry out parliamentary elections

according to their new date, without extending its term another time. The new steps

include appointing the members of the body in charge of supervising the elections so that

it could start operating as soon as possible.

-. reparing and submitting the draft law that governs the wor" of the permanent

independent committee in charge of supervising elections immediately to the parliament

as soon as possible, enabling the said!committee to manage the */(- parliamentary

elections.

Sodeco 7 Building, Petro Trad St., 5thfl., Beirut, Lebanon

Telefax:961-!"1-###71# !"1###71$ %-&ail:info'lade .org.lb (eb)ite:***.lade.org.lb
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0. 1nderta"ing the immediate steps to revive the &conomic and 2ocial +ouncil, given that it

represents $ebanons main social dialogue body.

The aforementioned five clauses are the present governments true test during its short, albeit

decisive, existence. The serious 3uest to achieve them is considered the standard by which all

the positive and consensual rhetoric heard lately will be udged. If these five pillars are not

met, we fear that the creation of this new government will be nothing but a temporary truce

paving the way for a new round that will set the country on fire at any given moment when a

new national or external merit is due. And, we all "now that these merits are numerous.

We are even more fearful since its creation did not stem from its parties conviction, nor is it

the fruit of a real free dialogue that led to an accord between them. This cabinet came to be as

a result of pressures and external factors, as well as the deadloc" reached by internal parties

and their need for an exit and truce.

4urthermore, the fashion and nature of its creation, the way its ministers were celebrated and

their first appearance in front of the press is a clear indicator that they represent the heads of

their movements instead of being officials and heads of the ministries first and foremost.

These ministries are public administrations supposed to help all people impartially and

effectively.

To be fair, certain ministers may carry bright ideas and personal or political proects.

#owever, this concept does not apply to the maority among them. It seems that the maority

of ministers are mere political envoys for whoever has chosen them and fought hard to getthem appointed. In this sense, each minister is presented as a 3uota, because the logic of

3uotas prevails over the rule of law.

In $ebanon current politics are shallow and superficial5 they also lac" vision and

imagination. In fact, politics have excluded the economic and social dimension from its

structure and mechanism, thus alienating themselves from the people, their needs and the

country as a whole. $ebanese politics are currently ust echoing the regional situation.

We will endeavor to stop any attempt of creating vacuum and regain democracy. 6ur long!

term goal, which we ust began wor"ing on, is to establish a dynamic social contract between

the different components of the $ebanese civil society, for $ebanons sa"e.

We oin forces with those who have previously launched initiatives and those who will

follow suit in calling on everyone to create unity among all components of the $ebanese civil

society. We call upon trade unions, economic bodies and organizations to confront the




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7political class8, its symbols, tools and the way they understand and practice politics. We are

all invited to bring bac" some integrity to the sense of noble politics that was disdained by

the shallow and vulgar means used by them.

Therefore, we will wor" on reviving and activating the mechanisms and institutions, and

guarantee their independence and continuity, starting with'

(. A government for the people and for $ebanon, rather than a government that is a council

of envoys for their parties and leaders, a place where 3uotas and spoils are shared,

*. &lecting a president on the date set forth by the constitution, without extending his

mandate or opting for vacuum,

. +onducting the upcoming parliamentary elections on time without extending the

parliaments term another time, when the current term, which we did not agree on due the

fact that it is in violation of the constitution, ends. +arrying out all preparations and

guarantees that must begin immediately, namely a new reformed parliamentary electoral

law,

-. 9econstituting the constitutional council according to new basis, guaranteeing its

immunity and independence. The udge affiliated to it is not ust another delegate

representing a leader or a political movement,

0. 9econstituting the &conomic and 2ocial +ouncil according to new basis as well,

increasing its prerogatives, guaranteeing its independence and ma"ing sure it represents

different categories of the society, which will turn it into an influential council in shaping

policies and a permanent social dialogue body for the country.

4or our part, our contribution will be significant and we will wor" with everyone in order to

unify the efforts exerted by the main components of the civil society. This initiative aims at

breathing new life into the democratic path in $ebanon, institutions, the state, its institutions, the

idea of the state, the country and the citizen.

:eirut on 4ebruary *;, */(-



together we stand to get lebanon back on the track to recover its democracy and rule of law

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