05/15/2022 04:56 (act 05/15/2022 04:56)
Bus with electoral poster in Beirut ©APA/AFP
For the first time since the catastrophe of the explosion in the port of the capital Beirut, the Lebanese are electing a new parliament on Sunday. In the face of the severe economic and financial crisis, many younger voters, in particular, expect a good performance from opposition candidates. Nearly four million people are called upon to determine the 128 members of the Chamber of Deputies. The first preliminary results may be available on Sunday night.
The Mediterranean country has been suffering for more than two years with the worst economic and financial crisis in its history. According to the UN, about three quarters of the population lives below the poverty line. In everyday life, people struggle with insufficient supplies. Most families only have electricity for a few hours a day.
Because of the electoral system, however, the chances of a big change are considered small. Many observers hope that the Shiite Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, will be able to consolidate its already strong position. The number of opposition candidates is significantly higher than in previous elections. Many of them emerge from the mass demonstrations that broke out in 2019. They were mainly directed against widespread corruption.
Lebanon’s political system is characterized by a fragile balance of denominations. The head of state is always Christian, the head of government is Sunni and the speaker of parliament is Shia.
More than 190 people died in the explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. About 6,000 people were injured.