Amid increasing talk of postponing parliamentary elections and extending the term of Parliament, President Joseph Aoun has stated that he is determined to hold the vote on schedule and absolutely rejects any extension.

His stance is not wholly altruistic; Aoun no-doubt sees the act as a demonstration of the commitments made in his oath of office. He does not wish for his term to be marked by the extensions that characterized previous administrations.

The President has received no signals from Arab or Western parties, nor from representatives of the Quintet, suggesting an extension of Parliament. On the contrary, external actors are carefully following Lebanon’s affairs and have inquired about the elections, supporting their completion regardless of the results. They emphasize that Lebanese citizens, both residents and abroad, have the right to elect a Parliament that reflects their aspirations.

Aoun maintains that elections are a matter governed by constitutional rules and belong solely to the Lebanese people and their will. The Presidency remains committed to respecting the voting schedule set by the Ministry of Interior and to ensuring the proper conduct of the electoral process.

This issue will be on the Cabinet’s agenda today. The non-binding opinion of the Legislative and Consultative Authority will also be presented. Given the heightened sensitivity surrounding the elections between the Cabinet and Parliament, Aoun emphasizes the Lebanese people’s trust in their state and the importance of holding elections on schedule. This position is shared with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and he coordinates closely with them.

Aoun’s statements suggest that if he is committed to holding municipal and last-cycle elections, parliamentary elections should also proceed as scheduled. There are constitutional tools at his disposal, such as refusing to sign any law extending Parliament’s term if it is passed, and referring the matter to the Constitutional Council.

He therefore calls on all parties to first fulfill their constitutional responsibilities and secondly their national duties. He summarizes his position by stating that he rejects any coup against the constitution. His stance is based on the principle that he would be among the first to be affected if Parliament’s term were extended.

Furthermore, Aoun shuts down all claims that any candidate is receiving support from the Presidency or state institutions. In his private meetings, he emphasizes that he does not back anyone, maintains equal distance from all candidates and parties, and is focused solely on ensuring elections take place under favorable conditions and in accordance with voters’ choices.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Annahar.