Michel Aoun: Is he aware or not?

The dollar has begun to climb again. But, the resurgence of the green money is a bad sign. The fact that the government’s budget does not inspire trust, neither at home nor abroad, adds to the gravity of the problem. The new budget’s taxes have alarmed both popular and unpopular organizations in Lebanon.

Despite the positive environment regarding customs’ dollar talks not including basic and necessary materials for the people, it is confirmed that the budget, if approved by the Parliament, will launch a massive price increase that will affect everyone and will not differentiate between rich and poor, and it will eliminate what remains of the middle class, which is the safety valve in all communities. The budget, on the other hand, does not include any reform items or production initiatives.

It is a budget that lacks an economic vision and a future orientation. Are these the budgets that are necessary in times of crisis? How would such a budget be received by the International Monetary Fund? The environment reinforces the Fund’s perspective, neither on the performance of the schedule government nor on the content of the budget, which is a negative matter that will be reflected in the overall economic rescue operation that the government is attempting to undertake.

The problem is compounded by the President of the Republic’s ongoing campaign against the Governor of the Banque du Liban, Riad Salameh. Obviously, Salameh is not free from flaws and crimes, and throughout his stint as governor of the Banque du Liban, he engaged in unethical behavior and did suspicious actions that create suspicion and mistrust. However, holding him responsible should not be done through the media, particularly through remarks made by the President of the Republic in newspapers, radio, and television.

Should managing state’s affairs be taken for granted? Isn’t the President of the Republic aware that such actions have a bad impact on the world’s perception of our nation? If Michel Aoun is aware of all of this, then we are facing a real tragedy; otherwise, it is even a more serious tragedy!