Thirty-four members of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) intend to hold emergency session

By Sami Zaptia.

London, 1 September 2021:

Thirty-four members of the 75-member Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) announced yesterday their intention to hold an emergency session.

The session will consider the constitutional and legal framework for the planned electoral process (with elections planned for 24 December 2021), and to agree on a mechanism for naming holders of sovereign positions.

In addition, the session is to consider an evaluation of the performance of the Executive Authority, including both the Presidential Council and the Abd Alhamid Aldabaida led Government of National Unity during the past 6 months – in accordance with the objectives of the LPDF Roadmap.

Elections were the priority of the Roadmap

It will be recalled that it was the 75 member LPDF that selected the current Presidential Council and Government of National Unity whose priority in office was to realise the 24 December elections on a constitutional basis and on time.

HoR and HSC have contrived to disagree

However, the process has floundered, mainly on the House of Representatives (HoR) and High State Council (HSC), who together have contrived to fail to agree on a constitutional basis for the elections. This has made the holding of elections on 24 December less likely.

Status quo forces fighting for survival?

The overwhelming members of the HoR would lose their seats at the next elections, whilst the unelected HSC would cease to exist.

Only 34 out of 75 LPDF members?

It noteworthy that the announcement to hold a session was only signed by 24 out of the 75 LPDF members. This in itself is indicative of the division and lack of consensus within the LPDF.

The LPDF has failed to agree on a constitutional basis

The LPDF has turned out to be a perfect reflection of the polarised Libyan political scene as they themselves have failed to agree on a constitutional basis for the planned elections.

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