Lebanese Elections: Hezbollah and Its Allies Lose Majority in Parliament

Lebanon’s main parliamentary bloc led by the armed Shiite movement Hezbollah defeated the majority in the legislative election, according to the final results announced on Tuesday, which gave many seats to candidates from the protests in 2019.

The vote took place on Sunday in one country sunk in the worst crisis socio-economic history of which a large part of the population, international organizations and foreign countries are associated with corruption and mismanagement of a ruling class established from decades ago in power.

the shiite movement supported by iran and its allies have not reached the 65 seats needed to maintain their legislative majority, Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi announced.

In the outgoing parliament, Hezbollah and its allies they have 70 seats at 128.

The losses were borne by the allies, as Hezbollah and its Shi’ite partner Amal retained the 27 seats they have so far.

New members

Another notable feature of the elections was the strong influx of candidates that stemmed from the popular uprising in 2019, demanding the removal of the ruling class and the re-foundation of the political system based hitherto on the distribution of power. between the different communities of this country. multi-denominational

With their ownership of 13 seats, these candidates can align themselves with the opposition to traditional parties and be the key to forming a new government.

In an event that hasn’t happened so far, two independent candidates gained seats in southern Lebanon held by Hezbollah allies for three decades.

The Lebanese Forces, a Christian party that has been part of the unchanging political elite for three decades and strongly opposes Hezbollah, has announced it has won at least 18 seats, against 15 in 2018.

According to observers, the low participation rate of 41%, against 49% in 2018, showed that traditional parties they were unable to mobilize their bases.

The crisis

Faced with a very serious economic crisis, the ruling class has been accused of leaving the country drift by not taking any action to correct the course.

Since 2019, the national currency has lost more than 90% at its cost, savers suffer disgusting banking restrictions and nearly triple unemployment. soon 80% of the population lives below the poverty lineaccording to the UN.

And in 2020, the state falls into default about its debt for the first time in its history.

Additionally, an explosion destroyed the port of Beirut in August 2020, killing more than 200 people, injuring thousands and destroying the entire neighborhood of the capital. The disaster is widely attributed to the carelessness of the leaders.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Lebanon on Monday for managing the vote.

“The secretary-general also expects the new parliament to immediately adopt all necessary legislation to stabilize the economy and improve governance,” said a statement from his spokesperson.

He also pointed to the formation of an executive will allow “to conclude the agreement (currently under discussion) to the International Monetary Fund and expedite the implementation of necessary reforms to put Lebanon on the road to recovery.

By Jean-Marc Mojon, AFP

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