Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, the Maronite Patriarch of Lebanon, stated, “The proposition for a presidential vacancy is fundamentally opposed.” The sole prerequisite is that a new president be elected in Lebanon within the constitutional date. According to the language of Articles 73, discussing a presidential vacancy is legally confined to the president’s resignation, death, or compelling cause.
Articles 73 and 74 of the Constitution prevent vacancies by electing a successor at least one month before the term ends, but no more than two months.
The Maronite Patriarch noted that Article 74 prevents vacancies caused by death, resignation, or any other unforeseen reason by requiring the rapid election of a replacement. Article 73 must be used in this circumstance.
As a result, it has become the political forces’ responsibility to agree on two people or personalities that meet the requirements that have been known and repeated, and the Parliament must take the initiative to elect the next president within the constitutional time that has begun.
Al-Rahi went on to say that manipulating the Presidency of the Republic means manipulating the Republic itself, and that opening this door should be avoided.
Whatever you choose to call it, the Presidency of the Republic is the pillar of building, the sturdy foundation upon which the State of Lebanon is created. If this pillar is messed with, the entire structure will collapse.
He stated, “We maintain hope of a national awakening among the parliamentary parties and blocs, so they take the initiative to vote and protect themselves, the shame of history and the future, and the resentment of generations,” especially since the majority of those who ran in the parliamentary elections last May committed themselves before the people to electing the President of Lebanon, and to adopting a national performance different from the one that It was a symbiotic relationship.”
The remaining affiliations are all loan affiliations. He went on to say, “We see the country’s living conditions deteriorating badly.” The inflation rate has risen to about 200%, undermining buying power independent of salary rate. This year, the jobless rate surpassed 40% of the workforce, and banks have tightened their grip on clients despite Central Bank circulars.
And the government has become embroiled in a recovery plan from which it has no idea how to withdraw or modify it, so it is the responsibility of the Lebanese state to seriously commit before the people to guarantee deposits through commitment to a plan of privatisation and investment between the public and private sectors, banks, and international Arab financial institutions.
Al-Rai said, “The sadness deepens when we learn that the percentage of families receiving income from retirement and other social security allowances has dropped from 28% to 10%, and that 85% of families would never be able to survive even for one month if all sources of income are lost.”
The suggestion for a presidential vacancy is inappropriate, according to Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch.
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