Lebanon’s parliament will attempt to elect a new president on Thursday, with diplomatic pressure mounting from the US and other foreign donors who want financial support in exchange for election. However, a consensus candidate has yet to emerge, and lawmakers have failed 12 times since October 2022.
The country is facing a major crisis, with a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah leaving significant damage and economic woes. The war has cost $8.5 billion in damages alone, according to the World Bank. Lebanon’s security situation remains volatile, and the government needs to navigate a fragile 60-day cease-fire.
Hezbollah, a dominant political force, is showing signs of flexibility ahead of the election. Senior officials have signaled that they will not veto the candidacy of Joseph Aoun, a US-backed commander of the Lebanese military. Analysts believe this could provide an opportunity to break Lebanon’s political gridlock.
A president’s election would be the first step in forming a full-fledged government with a mandate to steady the country. However, it remains unclear whether anyone will be elected at all. The parliament speaker has pledged to keep voting open until a candidate is agreed upon.
Lebanon’s prime minister, Najib Mikati, expressed optimism about the election, saying he feels “happy” for the first time since the presidential vacancy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/middleeast/lebanon-politics-president-parliament-vote.html