Jumblatt backs down on proportional representation

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt denied in remarks published Friday that he would withdraw his ministers from the Cabinet if it approves an electoral law based on proportional representation, but hinted that few people have sounded him out on the issue. Jumblatt told Al-Akhbar daily that he has not made such a decision, nor has he informed Prime Minister Najib Mikati or any political party of his intention to withdraw or resign from the Cabinet. “No one has raised the issue of proportional representation other than [Interior Minister] Marwan Charbel, and no one raised the issue with us,” the PSP leader added. His comments come days after an MP from Jumblatt’s National Struggle Front told The Daily Star on condition of anonymity that the bloc would not reverse its opposition toward proportional representation, which Jumblatt and his bloc claim would decrease the PSP leader’s influence. In a news conference on April 2, PSP official and Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi said the party would reject any election law based on proportional representation if it determines that the law’s intent is to diminish Walid Jumblatt’s political influence. Charbel recently announced that a new electoral draft law is expected to be finalized within two months.