The Political Council of the Free Patriotic Movement held its regular meeting, headed by MP Gebran Bassil, and discussed a number of political and economic files, most notably electricity, the budget, and the file of displaced Syrians. In a statement, the Movement criticized what it described as the “new chapter” of the electricity file, against the backdrop of Energy Minister Joe Al-Saddi’s abstention from attending Cabinet sessions, considering that the solution lies in operating electricity generation plants, especially the new Zouk and Jiyeh plants, instead of requesting more support to purchase fuel. He also criticized decisions related to the tariff on private generators and the royalty on gasoline, considering that they placed additional burdens on citizens. On the political issue, the “current” affirmed its solidarity with Palestinian rights, but refused to link the fate of Lebanon to any war outside the state’s decision, stressing the priority of peaceful solutions and respect for the state’s sovereignty. In the budget file, the Movement saw that the initial indicators of the project referred to the House of Representatives show that it is “arithmetical, not reformist,” and does not include a clear economic vision, considering that its financing depends on taxes that affect low-income people. He also criticized the Ministry of Education's performance in the issue of public schools, accusing it of keeping charter schools open to Syrian students, in exchange for closing public schools and preventing Lebanese from enrolling their children in them, warning of what he described as "disguised resettlement."