2022–2025 Lebanese presidential election
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Turnout | 128 (100%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Member State of the Arab League |
---|
The 2022–2025 Lebanese presidential election is an ongoing indirect election to elect the President of Lebanon following the expiration of term-limited incumbent Michel Aoun's mandate on 31 October 2022. Until a new President is elected, the Prime Minister of Lebanon has served as acting President.[1]
Under Article 49 of Lebanese constitution, in the first round of a vote session, a qualified majority of two-thirds of the members of the Lebanese Parliament is required to elect the President. If no candidate reaches that threshold, further rounds of election are held where an absolute majority of the members legally constituting the parliament is sufficient to elect the president. So far, eleven sessions have taken place, with the respective required thresholds not being met at any round. In the most recent session, Jihad Azour fell 5 votes short of the majority that would have been required in the next round, which was not held. The next session is set to take place on 9 January 2025.[2]
The ongoing years-long process is not without precedent, with the previous election taking forty-six sessions with multiple rounds across two year.[3]
By convention, the presidency is always held by a Maronite Christian. The incumbent president is not eligible for re-election until six years have lapsed since the expiration of his mandate.[4]
Background
[edit]2019–21 protests
[edit]Large-scale anti-government demonstrations ignited in the country from 17 October. Initially triggered in response to a rise in gas and tobacco prices as well as a new tax on messaging applications,[5] the demonstrations quickly turned into a revolution against the stagnation of the economy, unemployment, Lebanon's sectarian and hereditary political system, corruption and the government's inability to provide essential services such as water, electricity and sanitation,[6] Saad Hariri ended up resigning on 29 October 2019.[7]
Hassan Diab was appointed prime minister by President Michel Aoun on 19 December 2019.[8] His government obtained the confidence of parliament by 69 votes in its favour.[9]
However, the country's economic situation continued to deteriorate. The government was over 95 billion dollars in debt by the end of 2020,[10] the Lebanese pound lost 70% of its value in six months,[11] and 35% of the active population was unemployed.[12] Riots broke out in Beirut and Tripoli and Jounieh.[12]
Beirut explosion
[edit]On 4 August 2020, the explosion of several thousand tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a hangar in the Port of Beirut caused considerable human and material damage across the city and the port. The final toll was 218 dead and over 7,000 injured[13] and damage estimated at nearly four billion euros by the World Bank and estimated to have left 300,000 homeless.[14] The industrial-port zone of the Port of Beirut's badly affected, further aggravating the economic situation. Vital for Lebanon, the port is the most important trading centres in Lebanon which ensures the transit of 60% of the country's imports.
The blast was so powerful that it physically shook the whole country of Lebanon. It was felt in Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Israel, as well as parts of Europe, and was heard in Cyprus, more than 240 km (150 mi) away.[15] It was detected by the United States Geological Survey as a seismic event of magnitude 3.3 and is considered one of the most powerful accidental artificial non-nuclear explosions in history.[15]
The Lebanese government declared a two-week state of emergency in response to the disaster. In its aftermath, protests erupted across Lebanon against the government for their failure to prevent the disaster, joining a larger series of protests which had been taking place across the country since 2019. On 10 August 2020, Prime Minister Hassan Diab and the Lebanese cabinet resigned.[16]
The adjacent grain silos were badly damaged. In July and August 2022, part of the silos collapsed following a weeks-long fire in the remaining grain.[17]
2022 parliamentary elections
[edit]In May 2022, Lebanon held its first election since a painful economic crisis dragged it to the brink of becoming a failed state. Lebanon's crisis has been so severe that more than 80 percent of the population is now considered poor by the United Nations. In the election Iran-backed Shia Muslim Hezbollah movement and its allies lost their parliamentary majority. Hezbollah did not lose any of its seats, but its allies lost seats. Hezbollah's ally, President Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, was no longer the biggest Christian party after the election. A rival Christian party, led by Samir Geagea, with close ties to Saudi Arabia, the Lebanese Forces (LF), made gains. Sunni Future Movement, led by former prime minister Saad Hariri, did not participate the election, leaving a political vacuum to other Sunni politicians to fill.[18][19][20]
Electoral system
[edit]The Constitution of Lebanon does not provide for a specific candidacy procedure. Therefore, no individuals can be deemed to be official candidates, but legally only express an interest in the position.
Under article 49 of the Lebanese Constitution, a qualified majority of two-thirds of the members of the Lebanese Parliament is required to elect the president in the first round. The quorum also amounts to two-thirds of the Parliament. In the second round, a president can be elected by a simple majority of 65 deputies. There is however ambiguity on the constitutionality of the two-thirds quorum, since constitutional texts do not explicitly mention it. Some have interpreted this omission as intentional, such as legal scholar Assam Khalifeh, while Speaker Nabih Berri has relied on the opposite interpretation to enable his allies to resort to quorum-busting. An example of this would be the 2014–2016 Lebanese presidential election, where quorum would not be met for forty-three electoral sessions.
The Constitution also states that, in the last ten days of the incumbent's tenure, the Parliament is vested in the powers of an electoral college.
National Pact
[edit]Access to the Lebanese presidency is subject to an informal agreement known as the National Pact. Agreed in 1943, the latter limits this office only to members of the Maronite Christian faith.[21]
The National Pact is based on an unwritten agreement concluded in 1943 between the Maronite Christian president Bechara El Khoury and his Sunni prime minister Riad Al Solh when Lebanon gained independence from France. The pact stipulates that the president of the Republic must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the Speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim.[22]
Candidates
[edit]Declared interest
[edit]- Bechara Abi Younes, candidate for the 2009 Lebanese general election, engineer and president of the Environmental Rescue party[23]
- Ziad Hayek, former head of the High Council for Privatization and public-private partnership (2006–2019), Lebanese nominee for president of the World Bank in 2019[24]
- Tracy Chamoun, daughter of Dany Chamoun and former ambassador of Lebanon to Jordan (2017–2020)[25][26]
- May Rihani, international development and gender scholar, Director of the Gibran Chair for Values and Peace at the University of Maryland, former UN co-chair of the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (2008–2010)[27]
- Elias Tawileh, engineer[28]
- Sayed Boutros Franjieh, businessman[29]
- Elie Yachoui, Dean of the Business Administration and Economics faculty at the Notre Dame University–Louaize[30]
- Chibli Mallat, lawyer and activist[31]
Other potential candidates
[edit]Kataeb Party
[edit]- Samy Gemayel, MP (2009–present) and incumbent party leader (2015–present)[32]
- Nadim Gemayel, MP (2009–present)
Lebanese Forces
[edit]- Samir Geagea, incumbent party leader (2005–present)[33]
- Sethrida Geagea, MP (2005–present) and former chairwoman of the party[32]
Free Patriotic Movement
[edit]- Gebran Bassil, MP (2018–present), incumbent party leader (2015–present) and former Minister of Telecommunications (2009–2009), Energy and Water (2009–2014) and Foreign Affairs (2014–2020)[34]
- Nada Boustani Khoury, MP (2022–present) and former Minister of Energy and Water (2019–2020)
- Ibrahim Kanaan, MP (2005–present) and Chairman of the Parliamentary Budget and Financial Affairs Commission (2009–present)[35]
Other
[edit]- Joseph Aoun, 14th Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (2017–present)[36][35]
- Ziyad Baroud, lawyer, professor and former Minister of Interior (2008–2011) and candidate for the 2018 Lebanese general election[35]
- Salah Honein, former MP (2000–2005) and member of the Qornet Shehwan Gathering[35]
- Chibli Mallat, international lawyer, professor and candidate for the aborted 2005–2006 presidential election
- Neemat Frem, CEO of INDEVCO Group and MP (2018–present)[35]
- Jihad Azour, former Minister of Finance (2005–2008)and the current Middle East and Central Asia Director in the IMF[35]
- Samir Assaf, HSBC executive[37]
- Nassif Hitti, diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants (2020)[37]
- Philippe Ziade, businessman and Honorary Consul of Lebanon in Nevada[38]
- Roger Dib, former Minister, member in the National Committee of Christian/Muslim Dialogue, director of the Near East Consulting Group[35]
- Farid Elias El-Khazen, former MP (2005–2018), Ambassador to the Holy See (2018–present)[35]
- Farid Haykal al-Khazen, MP for Kesserwan District[39]
- Georges Khoury, former head of military intelligence in the Lebanese Armed Forces and Ambassador to the Holy See (2008–2018)[40]
- Elias Baisary, chief of the General Directorate of General Security[41]
- Jean-Louis Cardahi, former Telecommunications Minister[41]
- Salah Honein, lawyer and former MP[37]
Withdrawals
[edit]- Michel Moawad, MP (2018–present) and incumbent leader of the Independence Movement (2005–present)[35]
- Issam Khalifeh, historian, academic at the Lebanese University and trade unionist, first president of the National Union of Lebanese University Students
Election
[edit]First session
[edit]The first electoral session was held on 29 September 2022. The first and only round did not result in any candidate's election, due to the need to secure an absolute majority of 86 votes. Notably, 10 MPs voted for "Lebanon" while one vote went to Mahsa Amini. Before the second round, a number of deputies unexpectedly left the Chamber, leading the assembly to lose the quorum by one MP and postponing the vote.[42]
First Round[43] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||||||||
Michel Moawad | IM | 36 | 76.60 | ||||||||
Salim Eddé | Ind. | 11 | 23.40 | ||||||||
Valid votes | 47 | 38.52 | |||||||||
Blank votes | 63 | 51.64 | |||||||||
Invalid votes | 12 | 9.84 | |||||||||
Total | 122 | 100 | |||||||||
Eligible voters/turnout | 128 | 95.31 |
Second session
[edit]A second session was held on 13 October but failed to secure a quorum with only 71 out of 128 deputies being there due to FPM boycotting the session in memorial of 13 October 1990, below the quorum of 2/3 (86 deputies).[44][45] A third one is scheduled for 20 October[46]
Third session
[edit]A third session was held on 20 October. Michel Moawad received 42 votes, 55 MPs voted with a blank slip, one MP voted for Milad Abou Malhab. 17 MPs submitted ballots reading "New Lebanon", and one each for "Ruler, savior and reformer", "For Lebanon", "Righteous dictator" and "Nobody".[47] The second round was once again cancelled as FPM deputies left the Chamber, causing the loss of the quorum. A fourth session is scheduled for 24 October.[48]
First Round[48] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||||||||
Michel Moawad | IM | 42 | 97.67 | ||||||||
Milad Abou Malhab | Ind. | 1 | 2.33 | ||||||||
Valid votes | 43 | 36.13 | |||||||||
Blank votes | 55 | 46.22 | |||||||||
Invalid votes | 21 | 17.65 | |||||||||
Total | 119 | 100 | |||||||||
Eligible voters/turnout | 128 | 92.97 |
Fourth session
[edit]The fourth session to elect a president was held on 24 October with the presence of 114 deputies. In the first (and only) round, Moawad received 39 votes, while 50 blank ballots were registered, and 10 votes for Dr. Issam Khalifeh, a reputable academic nominated by a number of pro-Change MPs. A number of MPs voted "New Lebanon" as in the previous session, while Jamil Al Sayyed wrote "My Condolences" on his ballot paper. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held.[49]
First Round[50] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||||||||
Michel Moawad | IM | 39 | 79.59 | ||||||||
Issam Khalifeh | Ind. | 10 | 20.41 | ||||||||
Valid votes | 49 | 42.98 | |||||||||
Blank votes | 50 | 43.86 | |||||||||
Invalid votes | 15 | 13.16 | |||||||||
Total | 114 | 100 | |||||||||
Eligible voters/turnout | 128 | 89.06 |
Power vacuum
[edit]Michel Aoun signed the government's resignation decree, a day before his six-year term officially ended, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati's government remains in office in a caretaker capacity, which is unconstitutional since it goes against Aoun's request for the cabinet's step-down after numerous attempts failed to form a new cabinet.[51][52] Aoun's term officially ended on 31 October 2022 after 6 years in office, with no successor designated, similarly to his predecessors.[53][54]
Fifth session
[edit]The fifth session to elect a president was held on November 10 with the presence of 108 deputies. In the first (and only) round, Moawad received 44 votes, while 47 blank ballots were registered, 6 votes for Dr. Issam Khalifeh, a reputable academic nominated by a number of pro-Change MPs, 1 vote for former Minister Ziyad Baroud from Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab and 1 vote for Ziad Hayek from Elias Jaradeh. 7 MPs voted "New Lebanon" as in the previous session, while Zgharta MP Michel Douaihy wrote "Plan B" on his ballot paper and one vote went "For Lebanon". As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held.[55][56]
First Round[57] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||||||||
Michel Moawad | IM | 44 | 84.61 | ||||||||
Issam Khalifeh | Ind. | 6 | 11.53 | ||||||||
Ziyad Baroud | Ind. | 1 | 1.92 | ||||||||
Ziad Hayek | Ind. | 1 | 1.92 | ||||||||
Valid votes | 52 | 48.14 | |||||||||
Blank votes | 47 | 43.51 | |||||||||
Invalid votes | 9 | 9.72 | |||||||||
Total | 108 | 100 | |||||||||
Eligible voters/turnout | 128 | 84.38 |
Sixth session
[edit]The sixth session to elect a president was held on November 17 with the presence of 112 deputies. In the first (and only) round, Moawad received 43 votes, while 46 blank ballots were registered, 7 votes for Dr. Issam Khalifeh, 1 vote for former Minister Ziyad Baroud, 1 vote for MP Michel Daher and 1 vote for Suleiman Frangieh Jr. 9 MPs voted "New Lebanon" while 2 ballots were cancelled. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held, a seventh session is scheduled for Thursday 24 November.[58]
First Round[59] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||||||||
Michel Moawad | IM | 43 | 78.18 | ||||||||
Issam Khalifeh | Ind. | 7 | 12.73 | ||||||||
Ziyad Baroud | Ind. | 3 | 5.45 | ||||||||
Suleiman Frangieh | Marada | 1 | 1.82 | ||||||||
Michel Daher | Ind. | 1 | 1.82 | ||||||||
Valid votes | 55 | 49.11 | |||||||||
Blank votes | 46 | 41.07 | |||||||||
Invalid votes | 11 | 9.82 | |||||||||
Total | 112 | 100 | |||||||||
Eligible voters/turnout | 128 | 87.50 |
Seventh session
[edit]The seventh session to elect a president was held on 24 November. No candidate obtained a majority in the first round. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held. The next session will be held in early December 2022.
First Round[60] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||||||||
Michel Moawad | IM | 42 | 82.35 | ||||||||
Issam Khalifeh | Ind. | 6 | 11.76 | ||||||||
Ziyad Baroud | Ind. | 2 | 3.92 | ||||||||
Bedri Daher | Ind. | 1 | 1.96 | ||||||||
Valid votes | 51 | 46.36 | |||||||||
Blank votes | 50 | 45.45 | |||||||||
Invalid votes | 9 | 8.18 | |||||||||
Total | 110 | 100 | |||||||||
Eligible voters/turnout | 128 | 85.93 |
Eighth session
[edit]The eighth session to elect a president was held on 1 December 2022. No candidate obtained a majority in the first round. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held. Another session will be held on 8 December.
First Round[61][62] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||||||||
Michel Moawad | IM | 37 | 82.22 | ||||||||
Issam Khalifeh | Ind. | 4 | 8.88 | ||||||||
Ziyad Baroud | Ind. | 2 | 4.44 | ||||||||
Bedri Daher | Ind. | 1 | 2.22 | ||||||||
Bechara Abi Younes | Ind. | 1 | 2.22 | ||||||||
Valid votes | 45 | 40.54 | |||||||||
Blank votes | 52 | 46.84 | |||||||||
Invalid votes | 14 | 12.61 | |||||||||
Total | 111 | 100 | |||||||||
Eligible voters/turnout | 128 | 86.71 |
Ninth session
[edit]The ninth session to elect a president was held on 8 December 2022. No candidate obtained a majority in the first round. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held. Another session will be held on 15 December.
First Round[63][64] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||||||||
Michel Moawad | IM | 39 | 78.00 | ||||||||
Issam Khalifeh | Ind. | 5 | 10.00 | ||||||||
Bedri Daher | Ind. | 3 | 5.00 | ||||||||
Ziyad Baroud | Ind. | 1 | 2.00 | ||||||||
Milad Abou Malhab | Ind. | 1 | 2.00 | ||||||||
Salah Honein | Ind. | 1 | 2.00 | ||||||||
Valid votes | 50 | 47.62 | |||||||||
Blank votes | 39 | 37.14 | |||||||||
Invalid votes | 16 | 15.24 | |||||||||
Total | 105 | 100 | |||||||||
Eligible voters/turnout | 128 | 82.03 |
Tenth session
[edit]The tenth session to elect a president was held on 15 December 2022. No candidate obtained a majority in the first round. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held. Another session will be held in January 2023. The session scheduled for 12 January 2023 was postponed by the speaker due to the death of Hussein El-Husseini.[65]
First Round[66] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||||||||
Michel Moawad | IM | 38 | 73.08 | ||||||||
Issam Khalifeh | Ind. | 8 | 15.38 | ||||||||
Ziyad Baroud | Ind. | 2 | 3.85 | ||||||||
Salah Honein | Ind. | 2 | 3.85 | ||||||||
Milad Abou Malhab | Ind. | 1 | 1.92 | ||||||||
Chafic Merhi | Ind. | 1 | 1.92 | ||||||||
Valid votes | 52 | 47.71 | |||||||||
Blank votes | 37 | 33.94 | |||||||||
Invalid votes | 20 | 18.35 | |||||||||
Total | 109 | 100 | |||||||||
Eligible voters/turnout | 128 | 85.16 |
Eleventh session
[edit]The eleventh session to elect a president was held on 19 January 2023. No candidate obtained a majority in the first round. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held. After the election two MPs from the Change Movement locked themselves in parliament in protest.[67]
First Round[68] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||||||||
Michel Moawad | IM | 34 | 75.55 | ||||||||
Issam Khalifeh | Ind. | 7 | 15.55 | ||||||||
Ziyad Baroud | Ind. | 2 | 4.44 | ||||||||
Salah Honein | Ind. | 1 | 2.22 | ||||||||
Milad Abou Malhab | Ind. | 1 | 2.22 | ||||||||
Valid votes | 45 | 40.54 | |||||||||
Blank votes | 37 | 33.33 | |||||||||
Invalid votes | 29 | 26.13 | |||||||||
Total | 111 | 100 | |||||||||
Eligible voters/turnout | 128 | 86.72 |
Standoff
[edit]After the eleventh electoral session, Speaker Nabih Berri announced he would hold off of calling a twelfth session to elect a president unless he sees what he deems as "a sort of agreement" on a candidate. In response, Change MPs, joined by multiple parties, called for consecutive and successive ballots to be held until a president is chosen. Two reformist deputies, Melhem Khalaf and Najat Saliba, staged a sit-in in the Chamber of Deputies until a new session is held. As of June 14, 2023, the sit-in is still ongoing for its 147th consecutive day.[69]
In early June, the United States declared that it was thinking about imposing sanctions on individuals who had interfered with the election. Speaker Nabih Berri, who hadn't summoned a session since January, may have been referenced in this statement. Berri released a statement the next day in which he absolved himself of all blame for the obstruction. The international community has urged Lebanon to pick a new president and carry out the reforms necessary to secure a financial bailout arrangement on numerous occasions.[70]
Hezbollah and the Amal Movement have announced their endorsement for Suleiman Frangieh in the upcoming ballots. In parallel, an initiative led by independent MP Ghassan Skaff culminated in talks between opposition parties, taking advantage of the growing rift between the Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah and the warming of Syrian-Gulf diplomatic relations. With the support of Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, it was announced in late May 2023 that the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb, the FPM and the PSP had agreed to endorse the candidacy of IMF economist and former Minister of Finance Jihad Azour for the role of president.[71][72]
Twelfth session
[edit]The twelfth session to elect a president was held on 14 June 2023.[73] No candidate obtained a majority in the first round. As per the previous sessions, quorum was lost before a second round could be held after only 81 MPs remained in the room. However, Nabih Berri's choice of not conducting a second round was controversial since there had been a greater consensus between the MPs unlike the sessions before. It was also argued by numerous MPs that the round should have been cancelled or ballots recounted since the votes cast did not match the MPs present in the session.[74] In that round, economist Jihad Azour received 60 votes, 51 votes for Suleiman Frangieh, 6 votes for former Interior Minister Ziyad Baroud, 1 vote for military general Joseph Aoun and 1 blank vote. 8 MPs voted "New Lebanon" while 1 ballot for controversial businessman and contractor Jihad Al Arab was cancelled as he is a Sunni Muslim. Finally, 1 ballot was counted as lost,[74] before being counted to Jihad Azour .[75]
First Round[76] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||||||||
Jihad Azour | Ind. | 60 | 46.09 | ||||||||
Suleiman Franjieh Jr. | Marada | 51 | 39.84 | ||||||||
Ziyad Baroud | Ind. | 7 | 5.47 | ||||||||
Joseph Aoun | LAF | 1 | 0.78 | ||||||||
Valid votes | 118 | 92.19 | |||||||||
Blank votes | 1 | 0.78 | |||||||||
Invalid votes | 9 | 7.03 | |||||||||
Total | 128 | 100 | |||||||||
Eligible voters/turnout | 128 | 100 |
Development
[edit]Qatar declared support for Joseph Aoun during a visit by officials as they vowed to support the army with financial and military aid, the United States also followed with support.[77] A 5-nation group was formed by the Doha envoy which involved the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt to hold talks and solve the presidential vacancy in Lebanon. Most members affirmed its support for the election of Joseph Aoun. Despite this Aoun, said during a meeting with a delegation from the Press Syndicate when asked about his candidacy, "I don't care about it, it doesn't concern me, no one has discussed it with me and I haven't discussed it with anyone".[78] Aoun's possible candidacy was first raised by Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in July 2022 who suggested that he would make a good successor to Michel Aoun.[79]
On 7 June 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron named Jean-Yves Le Drian as his personal envoy for Lebanon to end the political deadlock.[80][81]
Nabih Berri and Hezbollah nominated George Khoury, former ambassador to the Holy See, as a secondary option to Suleiman Frangieh. This was also reportedly proposed by Qatari mediation officials and even Najib Mikati.[82] Leaders of the main opposition Christian Blocs, Samir Geagea and Sami Gemayel, reacted with refusal to negotiate with Hezbollah unless they let go of their primary candidate Frangieh.[83] Nabih Berri called at the start of September 2024 for renewed Presidential elections.[84]
On 12 December, MP Neemat Frem officially declared his presidential nomination in which he proposed multiple reform plans and the implementation of the Taif agreement and UN Resolution 1701.[85] After the fall of the Assad regime, rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani stated that Syria will not get involved in Lebanon's affairs stressing that "if the Lebanese agree on Joseph Aoun as president, we will support him." which is contrary to the Assad regime's influence on previous Lebanese presidential elections.[86]
On 18 December, the Democratic Gathering bloc, led by the Progressive Socialist Party, that previously supported Jihad Azour, announced in a statement that it will support the candidacy Joseph Aoun for the Lebanese presidency.[87] Former PSP leader Walid Jumblat reportedly tried to convince Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for his bloc to elect Aoun.[39]
Thirteen session
[edit]The thirteen session to elect a president will be held on 9 January 2025.[88]
See also
[edit]- 2022 Lebanese general election
- 2022 Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament election
- President of Lebanon
- Lebanese liquidity crisis
References
[edit]- ^ "Le Liban en 2022: des défis récurrents et une vacance présidentielle en vue?". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ "Lebanon to hold January presidential elections amid fragile ceasefire". Al-Monitor. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ^ "Michel Aoun elected president of Lebanon". www.aljazeera.com. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ "Lebanon's Constitution of 1926 with Amendments through 2004" (PDF). constituteproject.org. 27 April 2022.
- ^ "Lebanon protests: How WhatsApp tax anger revealed a much deeper crisis". BBC News. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ "L'insurrection au Liban: révolution, unité et crise économique". lvsl.fr - Tout reconstruire, tout réinventer (in French). 12 December 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ "Lebanon's PM Saad Hariri resigns as protesters come under attack". the Guardian. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ Hubbard, Ben; Saad, Hwaida (19 December 2019). "Lebanon, Mired in Crises, Turns to a Professor as Prime Minister". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- ^ Cornish, Chloe (19 December 2019). "Hassan Diab appointed Lebanon PM with Hizbollah backing". Financial Times. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- ^ "Lebanon - national debt 2020". Statista. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ "Lebanon: Events of 2020". Human Rights Watch. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Les Libanais ne décolèrent pas". Le Temps (in French). 13 June 2020. ISSN 1423-3967. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ Wilkins, Charlotte (31 July 2021). "'They have to pay for what they did': Families of Beirut blast victims fight for justice". France 24. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ "Beirut explosion: Lebanon's government 'to resign' as death toll rises". BBC News. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ a b "An Explosion in Beirut heard all over the Middle East". seismo.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
- ^ "Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab to submit resignation following Beirut blast". The National. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ "More grain silos collapse at Beirut port, damaged by devastating 2020 blast". France 24. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
- ^ Chehayeb, Kareem. "After elections in Lebanon, does political change stand a chance?". www.aljazeera.com.
- ^ Chehayeb, Kareem. "Hezbollah allies projected to suffer losses in Lebanon elections". www.aljazeera.com.
- ^ Chehayeb, Kareem. "Hariri's absence leaves Sunni voters unsure ahead of Lebanon poll". www.aljazeera.com.
- ^ "Lebanon (01/94)". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Lebanese National Pact | History, Significance, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Bechara Abi Younes goes for the presidential elections". 18 August 2022.
- ^ "زياد حايك يُعلن ترشّحه لرئاسة الجمهورية: درب الرئاسة في لبنان أصعب من دول العالم وقرّرتُ عدم الالتزام بقواعد اللعبة لثقتي بأنه يجب أن نكسر التقليد بأنّ الرئيس لا يتقدّم من اللبنانيين بترشّحه".
- ^ Chehayeb, Kareem. "Lebanon presidential candidate backs anti-Hezbollah platform". ABC News. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Chamoun granddaughter launches bid for Lebanon presidency". Al Arabiya English. 29 August 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
- ^ "مرشّحة بشبكة علاقات عالمية... هل تٌصبح أوّل رئيسة للبنان؟". www.mtv.com.lb. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "الياس الطويلة مرشح جديد لرئاسة الجمهورية". annahar.com. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "سايد بطرس فرنجية: أعلن ترشيحي لمنصب رئاسة الجمهورية اللبنانية بطلب وتمني الدول الكبرى".
- ^ "ايلي يشوعي يعلن ترشحه للانتخابات الرئاسية: أنا مستقل سيد نفسي أرفض الارتهان والتبعية". LBCI Lebanon. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Jumblat says Mallat best candidate, slams LF, FPM". Naharnet Newsdesk. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ a b Moubayed, Sami (21 April 2022). "Wives, sons, grandsons of powerful Lebanese Christian leaders unite against Aoun's son-in-law Bassil". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ "Who are the most prominent potential candidates for the Lebanese presidency?". الشرق الأوسط (in Arabic). Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ Prentis, Jamie (27 May 2022). "Lebanon braces for a drawn-out battle for the presidency after elections". The National. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Al-Rahi sends list of 15 presidential candidates to Shiite Duo, Jumblat". Naharnet. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Lebanon's Geagea Voices Support for Army Commander's Presidential Nomination". Asharq AL-awsat. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
- ^ a b c "Salah Honein is officially a candidate for president". L'Orient Today. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Al-Rahi sends list of 15 presidential candidates to Shiite Duo, Jumblat". Naharnet. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Jumblat tries to convince Berri of Army chief, and other presidential developments". Naharnet. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "لائحة بكركي تتوسّع إلى 16 اسماً". Aljadeed. 5 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Is Bayssari too much of a consensus candidate?". L'Orient Today. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Lebanese parliament fails to elect new head of state". gulfnews.com. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "Présidentielle libanaise: qui a voté pour qui ?". L'Orient-Le Jour (in French). 29 September 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Élection présidentielle: Le Liban mérite bien une renaissance". www.arabnews.fr. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022..
- ^ "La deuxième séance du Parlement pour élire un nouveau président levée faute de quorum: retrouvez notre direct". www.lorientlejour.com. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022..
- ^ "Lebanese parliament session to elect new president postponed till Oct 20". Reuters. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ Beydoun, Rolla (20 October 2022). "Présidentielle: Moawad progresse mais le blocage persiste". Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Lebanese parliament fails again to elect a president". The Jerusalem Post. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ^ "Pas de président élu à l'issue de la 4ème séance parlementaire". 24 October 2022.
- ^ "نتائج الدورة الأولى من الجلسة الرابعة لإنتخاب رئيس للجمهورية".
- ^ "President Aoun signs decree declaring Mikati's government as resigned". MTV Lebanon. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ "Aoun leaves Lebanon presidential palace in style as term ends". Arab News. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ "Lebanon president leaves with no replacement, crisis deepens". AP NEWS. 30 October 2022.
- ^ Gebeily, Maya; Bassam, Laila (30 October 2022). "Aoun's presidency ends leaving power vacuum in crisis-hit Lebanon". Reuters.
- ^ "Parliament holds fifth presidential election session". 10 November 2022.
- ^ "Le Parlement échoue pour la 5e fois à élire un nouveau président de la République". L'Orient-Le Jour (in French). 10 November 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "نتائج الدورة الأولى من الجلسة الخامسة لإنتخاب رئيس للجمهورية".
- ^ "Parliamentary session fails to elect new president". LBC. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
- ^ "Sixième séance électorale et toujours pas de président élu". L'Orient-Le Jour (in French). 17 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
- ^ "Les jeudis se suivent et se ressemblent: pas de nouveau président élu à l'issue de la septième séance". L'Orient-Le Jour (in French). 24 November 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Retour à la case départ pour Michel Moawad". L'Orient-Le Jour. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Election présidentielle: ce n'est pas encore pour cette fois..." L'Orient-Le Jour (in French). 1 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Présidentielle: 9ème round et toujours aucun progrès". Libnanews. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Et de neuf: le Parlement échoue encore à élire un président". L'Orient-Le Jour. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Al-Husseini, 'godfather' of Taif Agreement that ended Lebanon's civil war, dies". 11 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023..
- ^ "Dix séances pour rien: toujours pas de président au Liban". www.lorientlejour.com. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022..
- ^ "Lebanon MP's sit in as 11th vote for President fails". 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ @AsiaElects (19 January 2023). "Lebanon: The 11th parliament session to elect the next President was held yesterday. M. Mouawad (IM, Centre-right): 34 I. Khalife (Ind): 7 Z. Baroud (Ind): 2 S. Honein (Ind): 1 M. Malhab (Ind): 1 Invalid: 29 Blank: 37 No one was elected ➤ https://asiaelects.com/lebanon/ #Lebanon" (Tweet). Retrieved 20 January 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Reformist MPs begin sit-in at Lebanese parliament in protest against political deadlock". Arab News. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ Atallah, Nada Maucourant (1 June 2023). "Les États-Unis appellent de plus en plus à des sanctions face au vide de leadership du Liban". Libnanews, Le Média Citoyen du Liban (in French). Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Report: Opposition, FPM to announce Azour nomination within 48 hours". Naharnet. 29 May 2023.
- ^ "Eight extra votes for Azour with PSP endorsement". L'Orient Today. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "Speaker Nabih Berri calls for a session to elect Lebanese president on June 14". thenationalnews. 5 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Still no president after 12th election attempt: Follow our live coverage". L'Orient Today. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Azour obtient 59 voix, Frangié 51, toujours pas de président: Retrouvez notre direct de la 12e séance". 14 June 2023.
- ^ جلسة رئاسية حامية: فرنجية أو أزعور؟, retrieved 14 June 2023
- ^ "Report: Qatar calls for meeting of five-nation group on Thursday". Naharnet. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Army chief says not interested in becoming president". Naharnet. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Lebanon army chief emerges as potential candidate for president". Arab News. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ John Irish (22 June 2023), Macron returns to former minister to help break Lebanon deadlock Reuters.
- ^ Hélène Sallon (22 June 2023), Former French foreign minister Le Drian takes on the Lebanese political stalemate Le Monde.
- ^ Dohas Active Role Regarding South Lebanon Presidential Vacuum. today.lorientlejour.com - 14 March 2024
- ^ "جورج الخوري Plan B للرئاسة؟". MTV Lebanon (in Arabic). Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Lebanese parliament speaker renews call to end presidential election deadlock". Ghana News Agency. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Neemat Frem officially announces his nomination for presidency". Naharnet. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
- ^ "Jolani: If it is the will of the Lebanese, we will support Joseph Aoun for president". L'Orient Today. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- ^ "PSP bloc backs Joseph Aoun in presidential election". L'Orient Today. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Lebanon to hold January presidential elections amid fragile ceasefire". Al-Monitor. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.