Franjieh Demands Two-Thirds Cabinet Majority if Opposition Wins Elections
Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh has revealed that the opposition plans to have a two-thirds majority if it wins parliamentary elections, in a new stance that appeared to be surpassing the cabinet shares of both the president and the other political camp.
"The opposition wants a two-thirds majority in the next government if it wins the majority of the seats in the new parliament," Franjieh said in an interview with Marcel Ghanem”s Kalam el-Nass talk show late Monday.
"We have the right to a two-thirds majority in the event we win the elections," he stressed. "Whoever wants the one-third veto power let him have it."
Franjieh explained that in the event the March 14 coalition refused to take part in the next government the opposition would give President Michel Suleiman veto power.
He said Suleiman has the right to have a parliamentary bloc.
"But in order to have a bloc he”s got to be a leader," Franjieh added.
He refuted claims that the opposition was seeking to shorten the president”s term.
"When our team voted for him (Suleiman) we were aware that we had elected him for a six-year-term," Franjieh stressed.
He rejected to take part in any new government, adding however, that Marada Movement would be represented.
Franjieh said he would join the Free Patriotic Movement after the elections, stressing that standing alongside Gen. Michel Aoun "Is for the unity of Christians and for its united decision."
He attacked MP Michel Murr, asking: "Do Christians still believe him?"
Franjieh said the entire Christian parliamentary blocs would "be on his part."