Beirut municipal elections, who are the competitors ?? Surprising and shocking alliances !!

Lebanon today

Beirut municipality elections

Beirut municipal elections this year is gaining an exceptional nature, amid an overlapping political scene and unprecedented alliances, most notably the controversial alliance between Hezbollah and the “Lebanese Forces”, in one list under the title “Beirut brings us together”. The 24 -member municipal council is competing for six electoral regulations, which are traditional and emerging powers, which makes these elections a real test of the balances of political and popular forces in the capital.

Beirut municipal elections !! Six delicate regulations and balances

In the Beirut Municipal elections this year, six electoral regulations, which differ in its political backgrounds and alliances, are competing, but they all meet at one goal: winning the membership of the municipal council for the capital, in the absence of the Future Movement from the battle.

1. The List of “Beirut brings us together

The “Beirut Group” list, headed by Ibrahim Zidan, is the most representative in terms of the number of parties and personalities supporting them. The list includes an unprecedented alliance that brings together the Lebanese forces, the battalions, the Free Patriotic Movement, Hezbollah, the Amal Movement, the Progressive Socialist Party, the Tashnak, the Projects Association, the former Minister Muhammad Shuqair and MP Fouad Makhzoumi, under the auspices of Bishop Elias Odeh.

This alliance, despite the flagrant political contradictions between its components, was built on the basis of protecting the “equivalent” between Muslims and Christians in the municipal council, and trying to avoid sectarian scrutiny scenarios such as what happened in Tripoli.

However, this alliance is not without tensions. Some forces, such as the Lebanese forces and Makhzoumi, attempted to impose their conditions at the beginning of the negotiations, and refused the existence of parties such as Hezbollah. But after feeling the risk of a counter list, they had to sit at the negotiating table and make concessions.

Despite the promotion of the regulations for the principle of coexistence and equity, the performance of the parties that make up them during the past years, especially with the Future Movement, was not encouraging, but rather contributed to the deteriorating conditions of the service and development capital.

2.

This list includes personalities affiliated with the deputies of change, such as Fadi Darwish, with the support of deputies Ibrahim Munimna, Paula Yaqoubian, Melhem Khalaf, Mark Daw, Firas Hamdan, and Halima Qaqour.

However, the list lacks an attractive development speech, and its electoral speech focuses on “resistance to Hezbollah” instead of offering clear programs.

The irony is that the list, despite its adoption of a speech opposing the system, is the same as the product of confused alliances, as it arose after sharp differences between its members, which raises question marks about their ability to join joint work later within the municipal council.

3.

It is headed by retired Brigadier General Mahmoud Al -Jamal, with the support of the two deputies, Nabil Badr and Imad Al -Hout (the Islamic Group).

The regulation is based on a wide Sunni popular base, especially in areas such as the “New Road”,

It is a serious competitor to the Sunni voice in Beirut, especially after the Islamic Group was excluded from the “Beirut gathering” list.

4.

It is headed by the former member of the old Beirut Roli municipality, and includes active youth faces.

She enjoys undeclared support from personalities such as former deputy Salim Diab.

This regulation is a threat to the “Beirut Madinati” list due to the rapprochement of the social “profiles” of the members of the two regulations, which may lead to the dispersion of sounds.

5. The List of “Citizens and citizens in Beirut”

With the support of the former minister, Charbel Nahhas, this list provides a fundamental opposition letter targeting sectarianism and financial authority,

But she suffers from the absence of partisan coverage and lack of popular support, which limits her chances of winning.

6. The “Beirut Country” list

It is headed by Adnan al -Hakim, and it is an incomplete list and centered on only Sunni personalities, which makes its influence a geographical and sectarian confined.

Partial … an excuse or a goal in the Beirut municipal elections?

The wide alliance within “Beirut Gathering” was promoted that to ensure the equivalent between Muslims and Christians,

However, the reality indicates that the primary goal is to guarantee the shares of parties,

Without presenting any real project to save Beirut from deterioration.

The irony is that the coalition also witnessed differences over the representation of the mayors,

Where the Lebanese forces refused to adopt Michel Pharaoh’s candidate, and also objected to candidates affiliated with Anton Sahnawi.

The forces also faced internal criticism for “bargaining on the blood of Roland Murr”,

In reference to the olive generosity incident, which angered its popular base.

Beirut fans between frustration and indifference

The number of voters in Beirut is 198,005, including 133,304 Muslim voters and 41,849 Christian voters,

In addition to 22,852 expatriate voters. But the volume of turnout remains unknown,

Especially in light of a wide sense of frustration with the performance of the political class and the division of the opposition.

Despite the pluralistic richness in the regulations, the absence of the comprehensive development project is mostly.

It makes the battle revolves more about classes and balances, instead of providing a clear vision for the future of Beirut.

: Battle of Beirut municipal elections … more than just a municipality

Beirut municipal elections this year are not just a local entitlement,

Rather, it is an indication of the trends of public opinion in the capital, the willingness of the parties to assign and alliance, and the fragility of “change” as an effective political force.

The results expected on Sunday will determine not only those who manage the affairs of the capital,

Rather, what political model does the Lebanese want to Beirut: the quota model, or the real reform model?