Blank the ballot

Parliamentary elections in June 2013 will define both the ruling majority for the next four years and the identity of the future Lebanese president, and the Lebanese electoral law will play a crucial role in this process. But the country’s opposing political camps — the March 8 and March 14 coalitions — are not willing to risk any change in the balance between them. For this reason they are not likely to accept the proportional electoral system as it will open the door for independent candidates to take part in the elections, and this new blood would pose a serious threat to the established oligopoly in the Lebanese political system. Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government promised in a ministerial declaration shortly after taking office that the electoral law, which includes all the related reforms, would be effective one year before the elections. However, it was only sent to the parliament