Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi slammed on Monday “cold-blooded” lawmakers for violating the constitution by causing a vacuum at the presidential palace and extending their own term.
MPs are using their power to cause paralysis in the presidency because of personal and foreign interests, said al-Rahi in his opening statement at the 48th meeting of the council of catholic patriarchs and bishops in Lebanon.
He “condemned the lawmakers who are causing vacuum in the legislative branch and violating the constitution, and going against the will of the people.”
Last week, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to extend their mandate by another two years and seven months, skipping scheduled elections for the second consecutive time.
The vote now gives parliament eight full years in power— double its allowed mandate — to June 2017. Ninety-five lawmakers among those who showed up voted in favor of the extension, while two opposed.
Thirty one boycotted the session altogether in protest over the controversial decision.
Al-Rahi has even slammed boycotting MPs, saying they should show their protest to the extension by announcing their resignations.