President of the Independence Movement MP Michel Mouawad emphasized that Lebanon’s recent parliamentary elections were very significant for three reasons, the first being that they brought new figures to the political body and new blood to the parliament and secondly, they introduced the principle of proportional representation into Lebanese political life, which led to a more fair and wide representation of Lebanese society and its political groups. And the third and most important reason is the achievement reached in terms of the diaspora, whereby Lebanese expats were able for the first time to vote from their countries of residence.

Moawad’s speech took place at a dinner he held at his residence in Ehden in honor of the Lebanese community in Australia in the presence of Minister Nayla Moawad, Sheikh Jawad Boulos, Ambassador of Lebanon in Australia Mr. Milad Raad, Consul General of Lebanon in Sydney Mr. Charbel Macaron, the continental president of the World Lebanese Cultural Union President in Australia and New Zealand Mr. Michel Douaihy, Head of the Maronite Association in Sydney Mr. Anthony El Hachem, in addition to several businessmen and notable expatriate figures in fields related to construction, the economy, and so forth.

Moawad considered that the Lebanese diaspora vote is an achievement which we have always fought for together since first and foremost, we believe that the Lebanese expat should not be treated as a tourist or a bank account, but rather on the basis that he is a free citizen who does not vote based on clientele-lism nor does he succumb to the pressures placed upon some citizens in Lebanon. Therefore, the least the state or we can do is to deal with the Lebanese diaspora as partners whose votes are not dependent upon “sending tar for roads”, or a favor, or a job but instead, on their attachment to an identity and history of this country and its future.

On the other hand, Moawad considered that, “We have t/entered into a new phase in the country which is that of government formation,” and he said: “Personally I am not inclined towards national unity governments ” because I consider them governments of national quotas even if we need them in the current situation in order to maintain security and political stability in Lebanon, but it isn’t efficient in its ability to impose a reform policy and clear socio-economic paths.

And he added: “It is obvious that most political parties agree that the anticipated government must be one of national unity, a factor which requires us to respect a clear standard to assemble most of the parliamentary blocs within this government. The standard can only be based upon respecting the results of the parliamentary elections and by extension, the size of the parliamentary blocs but without handing the right to veto to any of the parties; all while preserving the share of the President of the Republic, one in which we do not accept for anyone to come close to any of his constitutional powers or those stemming from the nature of the Constitution. Otherwise, we will all pay the price and will transform the formation of the government into a fight based on a regional and international power struggle. And here we learnt from previous experience that due to the reality of the region, it is not possible for a party to completely win or lose.”

And he continued by saying, “As a result of this reality, it is in our interest as Lebanese to shield ourselves from regional and international conflict and to form as soon as possible a “capable government” able to address the serious challenges facing Lebanon on all levels, pointing out that the level of challenges can no longer tolerate unsystematic management but rather requires a government which has the courage to carry out the necessary infrastructural reforms required of it, an issue which calls for a balanced share for the “good guys” in this government because there is no reform with the corrupt.

He then thanked members of the Lebanese diaspora in Australia for granting him the honor of being the first in his region in the expats voting boxes. Moawad confirmed that he won’t compromise with this proxy, pledging to work day and night to meet their objectives and trust in him.

And he added: “You elected a Deputy and a sovereign project on Lebanon’s level, you elected a project that will continue to fight for one state, one constitution, one foreign policy, and sovereign decisions made by the Lebanese government alone and one arm, that of the Lebanese army and legitimate Lebanese forces. I will continue to strive for fighting corruption, updating our laws, and reforming our infrastructure. I will continue to strive for the defense of national partnership and for restoring the balance to this partnership, not based on the concept of Sectarianism nor Christianity, but from a Lebanese standpoint because a national partnership balance is a stepping stone towards political stability.

On this basis, our decision before and after elections is to support the current rule based on the principle of restoring the balance to national partnership. I will continue to strive for a dialogue approach in the parliament and political life and to build on the commonalities among the parties. I will continue to strive for change in Zgharta Zawiya which indeed has a lot of needs, and we will restore balance hand in hand so that there will no longer be an exclusivity in the relationship between a Zgharta Zawiya citizen and the Lebanese state. From this standpoint, you will view me on the Lebanese level a voice for sovereignty and partnership and reform, and on the Zgharta Zawiya level, a voice and force towards breaking the monopoly and restoring balance and the path for development which is a right, not a favor. We will seek in Zgharta Zawiya to create the logic and concept of human rights and citizenship.

He concluded by saying: “Thank you for your trust, together we will be the project for change in Zgharta Zawiya.”