Political observers in Beirut said on Tuesday that ongoing protests against possible wage and benefit cuts might be “orchestrated” by some parties to target Prime Minister Saad Hariri and hold him solely responsible for Lebanon’s financial and political crises.
The observers said the latest sit-ins had been first staged by low-income employees but later expanded to include productive sectors, which have never held such protests.
The observers believe that the “orchestrated objections” seek to target Hariri.
Since last week, new sectors have announced their participation in the wave of sit-ins and strikes against the government’s plan to adopt an austerity budget and key reforms that aim to unlock billions of dollars in pledged foreign assistance.
Central Bank employees began an open-ended strike last Friday to protest a possible cut in their wages, and then suspended it Tuesday for three days to give room for discussions.
At the same time, technical staff of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation called on concerned officials to take their demands seriously, threatening to stop airport traffic if the government cuts their salaries.
Al-Mustaqbal movement MP Assem Araji told Asharq Al-Awsat that some political parties are fueling populist sentiment in their attempt to hold the government responsible for the situation. “What is happening aims to target PM Hariri and his role,” the deputy said.
Araji said it is natural for employees to hold protests on possible wage cuts, but it is illogical for Hariri to be held solely responsible for such actions. “The cabinet is represented by all parliamentary blocs,” he said.
Hariri’s government is holding meetings to debate the 2019 state budget prepared by Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, who has previously stated that it would include austerity measures and reductions in spending.
“All parties had supported measures to cut spending in the new budget. But they later backed off to harness populist sentiment,” Araji said.
