Can the Lebanese Afford the Burden of More Taxes?
General Coordinator of the March 14 alliance Secretariat Fares Soueid told Future News on Thursday that Speaker Nabih Berri was trying to secure some benefits to the Council for South before the upcoming parliamentary elections.
He said that Finance Minister Mohammad Chatah had previously announced he would provide 60 to 70 billion LL to the council, adding “if these amounts were not enough, the cabinet should find alternative sources.” “Can the Lebanese afford the burden of more taxes, especially within the insecure situation of the treasury?” he asked.
Soueid also said, “Every time the March 8 coalition faces critical decisions [to be made], it attempts to either use its obstructing third veto or it deals with other parties and the state institutions negatively.” He concluded that none of the current funds would be cancelled or closed.