Jacques Hirac
New Member
Two days have passed since the resignation of Hassan Diab on 10-4-2020, and the Lebanese people are waiting for any news regarding the naming of a new PM and the formation of a new government.
From the comments I've seen here, it would appear that almost none of the forum members advocates a "unity government" that represents the existing political parties.
What is not very clear to me however is:
How would you define a "unity government"?
Whom would such a government consist of?
What could be an alternative?
Below are my thoughts on the issue:
If I remember correctly, the previous government was labeled a March 8 government due to how Hassan Diab's name was suggested to the president by March 8 parties. "Opposition" parties then, like FM and LF, refused to take part in the government formation. This helped enforce the idea of it being a "single-color government".
Naming Hassan Diab's government as "single color" served all the corrupt parties because it made it easy for opposition parties to refute the government's legitimacy by participating in the existing "revolution", and it made it easy for March 8 parties to demand being represented in that government since it is supposed to be theirs. I think what made the government fail is not the way Hassan Diab was named nor his performance, but rather the way his government was colored even before its formation.
Would it be possible for the parliament to name a PM that neither camp would object to?
If yes, would that be directly called a "unity government" or would it be given the chance to try and assemble an acceptable cabinet?
Also, who would be that person? Doesn't it make sense that the international community (including Macron) would consider Saad el Hariri as being the common denominator for most (if not all) of the political parties?
The way I see it, the "revolution", by not naming its own representatives or PM candidate, has created the perfect environment for any corrupt political party to bargain through it. I hate to say this, but isn't it possible that the only way out of a new deadlock today might be if FPM and LF simply accept Hariri (since they are the ones who opposed him before)?
If so, are there any conditions that any of the two parties might put in order to guarantee reform despite having Hariri as PM?
What are your thoughts?
From the comments I've seen here, it would appear that almost none of the forum members advocates a "unity government" that represents the existing political parties.
What is not very clear to me however is:
How would you define a "unity government"?
Whom would such a government consist of?
What could be an alternative?
Below are my thoughts on the issue:
If I remember correctly, the previous government was labeled a March 8 government due to how Hassan Diab's name was suggested to the president by March 8 parties. "Opposition" parties then, like FM and LF, refused to take part in the government formation. This helped enforce the idea of it being a "single-color government".
Naming Hassan Diab's government as "single color" served all the corrupt parties because it made it easy for opposition parties to refute the government's legitimacy by participating in the existing "revolution", and it made it easy for March 8 parties to demand being represented in that government since it is supposed to be theirs. I think what made the government fail is not the way Hassan Diab was named nor his performance, but rather the way his government was colored even before its formation.
Would it be possible for the parliament to name a PM that neither camp would object to?
If yes, would that be directly called a "unity government" or would it be given the chance to try and assemble an acceptable cabinet?
Also, who would be that person? Doesn't it make sense that the international community (including Macron) would consider Saad el Hariri as being the common denominator for most (if not all) of the political parties?
The way I see it, the "revolution", by not naming its own representatives or PM candidate, has created the perfect environment for any corrupt political party to bargain through it. I hate to say this, but isn't it possible that the only way out of a new deadlock today might be if FPM and LF simply accept Hariri (since they are the ones who opposed him before)?
If so, are there any conditions that any of the two parties might put in order to guarantee reform despite having Hariri as PM?
What are your thoughts?
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