Shafaq News / Amid political tension and anticipation, the LebaneseParliament is preparing to hold a significant session tomorrow, Thursday, toelect a new president.
Two names are currently emerging as leading candidates for the presidency,and electing either of them could put an end to months of presidential vacuumthat have weighed heavily on the country's political landscape, amid local andinternational pressures and deep divisions among parliamentary blocs.
On November 30, 2022, former Lebanese President Michel Aoun left thepresidential palace after his six-year term ended, with no possibility ofextension or renewal.
Since that day, the parliament has failed to elect a new president due todisagreements among political forces that have obstructed reaching a quorum,failure to secure two-thirds of the votes in the first round, or a majority ofmore than half the members of parliament in subsequent sessions.
According to Lebanese media outlets, Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun andformer Finance Minister Jihad Azour are the frontrunners in the presidentialelection session. Several parliamentary blocs have already expressed supportfor Aoun's candidacy, but Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has stressedthat electing Aoun would require a constitutional amendment, as he is a currentpublic official and cannot run for the presidency until two years after hisresignation from his current post.
Azour’s chances of winning are growing, as he enjoys international backingand his name is being widely circulated. However, nothing is certain yet.
Lebanese parliamentary sources indicated that the most likely outcomeremains the failure to elect a president in the upcoming session.
The scenarios currently being discussed are primarily based on"distributing the votes in a way that prevents any candidate from securinga win." In such a case, a national dialogue on electing a president couldbe initiated, as Berri has previously called for.
Before the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah, the name of “Marada” partyleader Suleiman Frangieh was among the prominent contenders, enjoying supportfrom Hezbollah, the Amal Movement, and other blocs. However, his chances wanedafter the signing of the ceasefire agreement and Hezbollah’s openness tovarious presidential candidates, excluding Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.
Parliamentary sources suggest that the dialogue could lead to a consensus onJoseph Aoun, a choice that would not constitute a victory or defeat for anypolitical faction.
It is expected that members of opposition political blocs will announcetheir presidential candidate this evening, Wednesday, after their meeting atthe headquarters of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Maarab, Keserwan,Mount Lebanon.
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