On Tuesday, the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council (ESEC) launched its “January 7 Call” to push for the election of a President of the Republic during the parliamentary electoral session on Thursday, January 9.
ESEC argued in this appeal for a return to the fundamental ideas of the rule of law, “which cannot exist without a president.” In order for Lebanon to recover and regain its position in the region, the council specifically demanded the election of “a model, sovereign president capable of leading the country and energizing its institutions.”
ESEC addressed the Lebanese and urged them to “no longer tolerate the institutional vacuum” and to “constitute a force of pressure in the face of divisions.”
The appeal was made during a meeting organized by ESEC President Charles Arbid, in the presence of representatives of economic organizations, the liberal professions, the General Confederation of Workers in Lebanon (GCWL) and members of the civil society.
In a speech, former minister Mohammad Choucair noted the “fundamental imbalances” observed at several levels in Lebanon today. According to him, it has become impossible to maintain this momentum, “especially after the successive tragedies of the last five years, the latest of which were the devastating Israeli bombardments.”
“We have a historic opportunity before us. Serious work must be done for the good of Lebanon and to build a promising future for the Lebanese,” he continued.
“We have no choice but to return to the option of the State because only the State can save Lebanon and put it back on the road to recovery, progress and prosperity, and open up horizons for the Lebanese,” added Choucair.
Moreover, he called on MPs not to disappoint the Lebanese and asserted that the election of a President of the Republic is not “a victory of one party over another, but rather a victory for Lebanon.”
For his part, Arbid said that “only the State can build bridges of communication between all segments of the population” and called for the election of “a reformist president.”
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