The government failed because of its creators’ conflicting interests and hastily drafted bills
The Lebanese National Bloc Party described parliament as a “Tribal Council” noting that it has established its failure through popularism and haste in drafting of bills. The Bloc considers that the government has failed in face of the conflicting interests of those who brought it about, and that Lebanese politicians do not have the people’s best interest at heart; instead they consider themselves to be tribal sultans controlling their flocks.
In a statement, the Bloc said that the executive authority failed to take any reform decisions because it is an authority that is stuck in the conflicting interests of the parties that brought it to light. This is an authority that was unable to make any financial appointments at the Banque du Liban, and the judicial appointments are still between fragmentation and suspension. As for the economy, the Bloc noted that the government was satisfied with simply stating the amount of losses without daring to identify the parties responsible for those losses, or providing any rescue plan.
The Bloc described parliament as a “Tribal Council” noting that it has established its failure through popularism and haste in drafting of bills as follows:
First: pertaining to fighting corruption, the bill to lift the immunity of ministers, to prosecute them and to lift bank secrecy was dropped.
Second: pertaining to fighting corruption and waste, the bill to cancel the Bisri dam project and the Ministry of the Displaced was dropped.
Third: pertaining to the economic and cost of living situation, the bill to secure 1,200 billion LBP to create a social safety net and support the production sectors was dropped. The bill to set up a fund for facing the repercussions of the Corona pandemic was also dropped. Voting for payment of the hospital dues was only passed because there was a real danger of hospitals closing down; it is worthy to note that many private hospitals are owned by the sectarian parties and prone to corrupt practices.
Fourth: pertaining to not taking any responsibility, none of the bills that legislated “Capital Control” were passed or even discussed, nor were the issues of waiving the "Eurobonds" or determining a benchmark. The government and Parliament have given the reigns of managing the financial crisis to the governor of the Central bank, who has been issuing successive statements and decisions that are often conflicting and that do not create an atmosphere of trust or monetary stability. An example of this was in determining the exchange rate of the dollar, as well as with regard to withdrawing the "fresh" funds from financial transfers from abroad: the central bank requested delivery in hard currency at one point and in Lebanese pounds at another point.
The biggest deception point against Lebanese citizens is the issue of the “Haircut”: the Bloc stated that despite the loud protestations of the leaders of the sectarian parties on this issue, they were found to accept it covertly, as we have seen the deterioration of the Lebanese Pound exchange rates.
The Bloc concluded its statement by saying: In conclusion it is a fact that Lebanese politicians do not have the people’s best interest at heart; instead they consider themselves to be tribal sultans controlling their flocks.