Tensions Ignite as MPs Meet to Debate State Budget

During a tumultuous parliamentary session on Wednesday, members of the Lebanese parliament engaged in a heated debate over the 2024 state budget. The session was marked by loud exchanges and accusations among MPs.

Change MP Melhem Khalaf abruptly left the session following a heated exchange with Speaker Nabih Berri. Khalaf was denied the opportunity to speak, having criticized the decision to hold a session focusing on the budget rather than prioritizing the election of a president. Lebanon has been without a president since the end of Michel Aoun’s term in October of the previous year, with political divisions preventing the election of a successor.

Upon exiting, Khalaf labeled the session as unconstitutional and departed amid praise, feeling like a “hero”. In contrast, Amal MP Ali Hassan Khalil accused the Change MPs of immaturity and labeled them as mafias. This sparked a sharp retort from Change MP Paula Yacoubian, who pointed out that Khalil, being implicated in the 2020 Beirut port explosion, had no authority to speak about mafias.

Free Patriotic Movement MP Ibrahim Kanaan criticized the draft budget law as unconstitutional and disparaged the government as “dishonourable”. Lebanese Forces bloc MP George Adwan expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of any state budgets or reforms unless the decisions about war and peace are under state control.

Adwan directly addressed caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, urging him not to present any recovery plans that would involve the loss of depositors’ funds. He emphasized the need for the plan to focus on improving finances and customs procedures.

Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab joined the criticism of Mikati, accusing him of exacerbating the conflict between the defense minister and the army commander. He questioned whether Mikati would have treated former minister Ghazi Zoaiter, if he were the defense minister, in the same manner as he had treated Minister Maurice Slim.