Hala el-Housseini, “Akhbar al-Yawm” agency

"Strong Lebanon" Bloc Proposes Constitutional Amendments on Executive Authority

Amendment of constitutional provisions related to the establishment of the executive authority

On February 25, 2025, members of the "Strong Lebanon" bloc submitted an ordinary draft law to Parliament, seeking to amend certain constitutional provisions related to the establishment of the executive authority, which the Constitution entrusts to the Council of Ministers pursuant to Article 17.

The proposal aims to impose a deadline of seven days for the Prime Minister and ministers to sign decrees (Articles 64 and 66). It also seeks to amend the provisions governing the exercise of presidential powers by the Council of Ministers in the event of a presidential vacuum (Article 62), modify the procedure for convening the presidential election, and ensure that the outgoing President continues to exercise their powers until a successor is elected (Article 73).

Signed by ten MPs, the proposal has not yet been referred to the relevant parliamentary committees for review. It is expected to be discussed during Parliament’s regular session, as outlined in its text.

The explanatory statement underscores that the executive authority is one of the three fundamental branches in Lebanon’s parliamentary democratic system. As the Constitution entrusts it collectively to the Council of Ministers, it must be formed in accordance with constitutional provisions, free from obstacles or delays stemming from discretionary decisions or indefinite timeframes.

The statement also addresses the lack of a specified deadline for parliamentary consultations to form a government, the issue of caretaker governments operating under limited powers following their resignation, the scope of caretaker governments’ authority, and the risks posed by a presidential vacuum, which threaten constitutional stability, national unity, and the proper functioning of state institutions.

The proposal, expected to be referred to the relevant committees for review in the near future, is significant as it reshapes the political landscape, particularly in light of recent disputes over executive powers, especially in the context of a caretaker government.