During a meeting with the former Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission in Lebanon, President Michel Aoun welcomed European observers to monitor the upcoming elections as had been done in 2018.
Elena Valenciano, the former head of the EU delegation that monitored the 2018 parliamentary elections, said that the EU was ready to repeat the experience and monitor the elections next year.
Aoun indicated that the elections will take place on time in the spring of 2022 and that “efforts will be exerted so that economic conditions are not exploited to influence voter freedom and choices”.
While elections are bound to take place next year, there seems to be no effort to form a government that would help Lebanon out of its current crises- only an effort to bicker over the division of power.
This has prompted the EU to agree on a sanctions regime for Lebanese officials who are corrupt and/or delaying and obstructing political progress. Serious sanctions are expected by the end of this month.
Constitution over progress
In a tweet, Aoun advised those who criticize his authority to form a government to read the fourth paragraph of Article 53 in the Constitution.
“He [the President] shall issue, in agreement with the Prime Minister, the decree appointing the Cabinet and the decrees accepting the resignation of Ministers or their dismissal,” it reads.
Meanwhile, neither Aoun nor the PM-designate Saad Hariri is agreeing to any proposal about the Cabinet.
