Constitutional Council - The end of the saga?

The Constitutional Council (picture of the council before it disbanded in 05), or the lack of it, is Lebanon's biggest issue regarding the upcoming election. It is the only body that is able to decide on electoral disputes and ensures the constitutionality and legality of the electoral law. The problem is that since the Constitutional Council was disbanded in 2005 after the last elections the minimum of five judges needed for the council to function have yet to be appointed. However, there are glimmers of hope that there may be agreement on who will make up the council as the Council of Ministers discuss the issue today. It has been reported that Sleiman has stated that if the Council of Ministers cannot decide by consensus then the appoinments will be put to a vote.

As to who the members could be As-Safir reported that the opposition has decided on two of five members yet to be elected former minister Assaad Diab, a Shiite, and Greek Orthodox judge Salah Mukhaiber. Sleiman recommended Raymond Eid, a Maronite, while Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt was likely to name Druze candidate Suheil Abdel Samad. Siniora will decide the Sunni member.