Lebanese bishops: Elections under current law could be 'disastrous'

Published: 2005-05-17

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- Following an emergency meeting regarding Lebanon's electoral law, Maronite Catholic bishops warned that holding Lebanon's parliamentary elections under its existing electoral law would have "disastrous" consequences. The bishops said May 11 that the law negates any concept of real democracy, especially for Christians, who make up approximately 40 percent of Lebanon's population. Elections for Lebanon's 128-member Parliament are scheduled to begin May 29 and run for four consecutive Sundays. The bishops maintain that under current electoral law, enacted in 2000 when Lebanon was under Syrian tutelage, Lebanon's Christians can elect only 15 members of the 64 seats to which they are entitled.

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