Suleiman Franjieh joins forces with AounLeading pro-Syrian joins FPM list for the North
By Nicolas Tohme and Therese Sfeir
Published June 13th 2005 in The Daily Star
Zghorta MP Suleiman Franjieh officially allied with Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, in the run up to the final run of the crucial polls, set to take place next Sunday. Former MP Abdel-Majid Rafei announced the formation of the People's Decision electoral list during a ceremony in Tripoli, marking the alliance of Syrian ally Franjieh and anti-Syrian Aoun.
Gebran Bassil is representing the FPM in Batroun and Fayez Karam in Tripoli.
In other developments, Batroun MP Butros Harb, a candidate in the Reconciliation and Reform electoral list, said his list was engaged in a battle to build a sovereign and free country.
He also said the group will work to establish national reconciliation and political reform.
Addressing the crowds that came to visit him at his residence in Tannourine, Harb said: "We are engaged in a battle to build an independent and sovereign country and we are ready to cooperate with anyone who wants what is best for Lebanon."
He also urged his supporters to vote for the entire electoral list.
Member of the Qornet Shehwan Gathering and candidate in the Reconciliation and Reform electoral list Samir Franjieh said the unity of the opposition has realized several achievements, such as the creation of an international investigation committee into the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the withdrawal of Syrian troops and intelligence services from Lebanon.
Samir Franjieh's statements came during a meeting with Zghorta citizens held by the candidates of the Reconciliation and Reform electoral list on Saturday.
He added: "We will carry on our march toward the establishment of independence and sovereignty and toward the implementation of a political reform program in order to get rid of corruption."
Tripoli MP Mohammad Safadi said the Reconciliation and Reform electoral list "reflects the solidarity that exists between the Lebanese people, and the hope for a better future."
He also called for the creation of an electoral law based on the mohafaza (large electoral district) with proportional representation.
Member of the Qornet Shehwan Gathering and Zghorta MP Nayla Mouawad said President Emile Lahoud is the final authority over the security services and should resign together with Speaker Nabih Berri.
Gebran Bassil is representing the FPM in Batroun and Fayez Karam in Tripoli.
In other developments, Batroun MP Butros Harb, a candidate in the Reconciliation and Reform electoral list, said his list was engaged in a battle to build a sovereign and free country.
He also said the group will work to establish national reconciliation and political reform.
Addressing the crowds that came to visit him at his residence in Tannourine, Harb said: "We are engaged in a battle to build an independent and sovereign country and we are ready to cooperate with anyone who wants what is best for Lebanon."
He also urged his supporters to vote for the entire electoral list.
Member of the Qornet Shehwan Gathering and candidate in the Reconciliation and Reform electoral list Samir Franjieh said the unity of the opposition has realized several achievements, such as the creation of an international investigation committee into the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the withdrawal of Syrian troops and intelligence services from Lebanon.
Samir Franjieh's statements came during a meeting with Zghorta citizens held by the candidates of the Reconciliation and Reform electoral list on Saturday.
He added: "We will carry on our march toward the establishment of independence and sovereignty and toward the implementation of a political reform program in order to get rid of corruption."
Tripoli MP Mohammad Safadi said the Reconciliation and Reform electoral list "reflects the solidarity that exists between the Lebanese people, and the hope for a better future."
He also called for the creation of an electoral law based on the mohafaza (large electoral district) with proportional representation.
Member of the Qornet Shehwan Gathering and Zghorta MP Nayla Mouawad said President Emile Lahoud is the final authority over the security services and should resign together with Speaker Nabih Berri.
Election Day '09 was a roller-coaster for election reformers. Instant runoff voting had a great night in Minnesota, where St. Paul voters chose to implement IRV for its city elections, and Minneapolis voters used IRV for the first time—with local media touting it as a big success. As the Star-Tribune noted in endorsing IRV for St. Paul, Tuesday’s elections give the Twin Cities a chance to show the whole state of Minnesota the benefits of adopting IRV. There were disappointments in Lowell and Pierce County too, but high-profile multi-candidate races in New Jersey and New York keep policymakers focused on ways to reform elections; the Baltimore Sun and Miami Herald were among many newspapers publishing commentary from FairVote board member and former presidential candidate John Anderson on how IRV can mitigate the problems of plurality elections.