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Voting at the age of 18
« Believe in youth
participation. However, so long as there are no political parties and political
programs, young people of 18 will be unable to vote. People vote for the
candidate who inspires confidence and whose past is a guarantee that things
will get done. »
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Political parties
« It is necessary to
create political parties so that elections are based on ideas and opinions, not
on individuals. »
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Women
« I fought within the Maronite League
in order to increase the membership, so as to give access to women and youth.
Women are a factor of equilibrium. We are way behind other countries in this
regard.
Adopting the quota principle to ensure the presence of women in
Parliament leads to a difficulty of representation for it is impossible
to establish a religious quota and another one for women. »
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Displaced
« Unless the displaced return to
their homes, I do not consider that the war is over. The Lebanese have not all
returned to their villages. Helping them return is not enough, we should also
find them jobs and provide them with the basic infrastructure.
»
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Naturalization
« The naturalization decree
is a crime. Files have been naturalized, not individuals. Decrees granting the
Lebanese nationality are meant to reward persons who made sacrifices for
Lebanon.
An extremely strict law that includes well-defined criteria should
be adopted in this regard especially that Lebanon is a country of
emigration.
Our children are leaving their land while we're replacing them
with foreigners. »
Opposition to the
naturalization decree
Pierre Hélou believes that the
naturalization decree is a scandal. He is following up the matter, which has
been brought before the Council of State personally. He has repeatedly warned
against the promulgation of any similar or connected decrees. He is firmly
opposed to the settlement policy, which he believes is risky, and to random
naturalization. He asks for the adoption of a law that would stop naturalized
people from participating in legislative elections so long as the Council of
State has not taken a decision in this regard.
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Giving a great importance to the Lebanese
Diaspora
« It is essential to establish contacts with the
Lebanese people all over the world. They should be able to exercise their
national rights and they should be given the opportunity to play a role in
their mother country. »
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Full support for Jezzine and for South Lebanon, and the
implementation of the 425 resolution
He continuously called for
the implementation of resolution 425 and reiterated his attachment to the
State's position on the implementation of both resolutions 425 and 426 that
provide for full and unconditional withdrawal . Pierre Hélou made a
field visit to the liberated regions at the head of the delegation of the Union
of Christian Leagues.
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Socio-economic situation
« Tax collection
must be equitable and a tax system that wouldn't over burden low-income people
must be introduced.
Implementation of the wealth tax.
Civil and
human rights must be respected and the important role played by NGOs and youth
associations in supporting these rights must be promoted.
Fraud,
corruption and embezzlement of public funds must be severely
punished.
The priority of the State must be to deal immediately with the
economic crisis in Lebanon.
Criminals, especially in cases involving
women, children and the elderly, must be dealt with and brought to justice
swiftly. »
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Youth
« Ensure their right to express their
opinions freely.
Denounce the existence of security enclaves in some regions
of Lebanon where, under the guise of political security, civil peace is hostage
to the control of armed factions while unarmed youth are denied the right to
freedom of expression. »
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Settlement of Palestinians
« This project is
totally refused and rejected. The right of Palestinians to go home must be
upheld. »
Supporting the cause of the refugees
« This
tragedy must come to an end. Refugees must go home, because national entente
can not be achieved so long as this issue remains unresolved.
»
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Creation of a State of institutions
- Civil peace
must be safeguarded
- Dialogue and national entente must prevail
-
Banking secrecy must be preserved
- Access to Lebanese goods and products
must be ensured
- The return of the Lebanese to their home country must be
promoted
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Environment
« A greater focus must be
placed on environmental issues so as to safeguard human health and to fight
diseases caused by pollution. »
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