Lebanon sets October 13 session to again try to elect a head of state
Majority cast blank ballots in the first session last week
Beirut: Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri has set a new parliament session to elect a head of state on October 13, just a few weeks before President Michel Aoun’s six-year term ends, though it is not expected to yield results.
In the first such session last week, lawmakers failed to elect a president, with the majority casting blank ballots.
Politicians have voiced concern about no successor being found - warning of even greater institutional deadlock amid a deep financial crisis. Lebanon has been without a fully functioning government since May.
The session is scheduled for 11am on October 13, a statement from Berri’s office said.
A successful candidate would require the votes of 65 lawmakers following the first round of voting.
The presidency has fallen vacant several times since the 1975-90 civil war.
Anticipating another vacuum, politicians have stepped up efforts to agree a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Najib Mikati - who is currently serving in a caretaker capacity - to which presidential powers could pass.
