Lebanese voters go to the polls on Sunday for a new parliament in the middle of the crash of The economy, which has pushed the country to the brink of become failed Country.
The voice of the Lebanese for a new parliament Sunday against the background of The country-changing economic meltdown and low expectations that the elections will dramatically change the political landscape.
a new A & Crop of Candidates from the 2019 protest movement are running against The country’s entrenched ruling class is being blamed for Collapse in the hope of bringing them down. But they are divided and lack money and experience And other advantages that it holds traditional political rulers with long fist on power.
People started throwing them ballots Shortly after the polls opened under the watchful eye of Security forces deployed out across the country. Sunday vote Do you first Since the beginning of the internal collapse in Lebanon in October 2019, an anti-government campaign sparked protests.
that it also The first Elections since the massive explosion in August 2020 in the port of Beirut that took a life more from 200 peopleand injured thousands and destroyed slash of The capital of Lebanon. He blamed the explosion on a large scale on neglect set off in hundreds of tons of Poorly stored and caught ammonium nitrate in harbor warehouse distance fire smash out in the facility.
Sunday’s vote is seen as last chance To reverse course and punish current A & Crop of Politicians, most of them of who derive from them power From Lebanon’s sectarian political system And spoils are taken at the end of 15th-year Civil war in 1990. But expectations for real Change was low amid widespread skepticism and resignation that vote It was sure To bring back The same powerful political parties.
“I did what I could and I know “The situation will not change 180 degrees,” Rabah Abbas, 74, said after casting his vote. in Beirut. fear the vote It is only symbolic and that Lebanon will remain stuck again in post- political squabbles over squad of a new government and elect a new president in October.
“We will hit a wall again. Lebanon is a hopeless situation,” echoing a common feelings. Polls close at 7 PM local time (4 PM GMT) and official results Monday was expected.
Term of It was the collapse of Lebanon on full display Sunday. in the north city of Tripoli, the poorest city in Lebanon, has cut off electricity to several polling stations and voters were forced to do so climb Several flights of stairs to throw them ballots. Voters were seen using The light from others mobile Phones to check names and lists before casting votes.
Mervat Dimashqieh, a 55-year-old housewife, said she would vote for change and for The “new faces” are running, adding that the old politicians should step aside.
“that they should give a chance to others. Enough theft said.
The mainstream political parties and politicians remain strong on vote, while opposition figures and civil society activists who hope to oust them are divided. Lebanese parties have always adopted on a system Encourages voters to cast it ballots in return for individual favours.
money flowed, with Advance political parties cash Bribes, sandwiches, transportation and other benefits to voters.
Since the collapse began, scores of in thousands of people They lost their jobs, the Lebanese pound fell more from 90% of Its value and many left Country looking for opportunities abroad. Three-quarters of 6 million peopleIncluding a million Syrian refugees now live in poverty.
The World Bank described Lebanon’s collapse as one of The world’s worst in The past 150 years old.
About 718 candidates on 103 running list for Seating in The 128 members parliament. The vote It is held once every four years. In 2018, voters gave powerful Hezbollah and its allies are the majority with 71 seats.
Lebanon has more Of the 3.5 million eligible voters, many of them of who will throw them ballots in its 15 constituencies.
Western-backed major parties hope to strip Hezbollah of their parliamentary majority, while many independents hope to infiltrate Hezbollah traditional party Lists and candidates.
Reflecting the tensions, fistfights erupted out Between supporters of Hezbollah and those of Lebanese Christian Forces backed by Saudi Arabia partywhich was among the most vocal critics of Armed Iran group.
Lebanese Association for The democratic elections said its delegates were forced to withdraw from two polling stations after threats from Hezbollah supporters and their allies. of Shiite hope group.
The vote This is amazing year come like main Sunni political leader, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri suspended his work work in politics called for Sunni boycott. Some may warn about this help Hezbollah’s Sunni allies win more Seating.
at sign of how Political loyalties are often precedent in Lebanon, Qassem Chtouni, 71, was driving cars way from his village in South Lebanon to Beirut vote. He said he chose an alliance consisting of of Several major groups including Hezbollah, President Michel Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement, and the Amal Movement group of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
sitting on plastic chair outside It is a polling station, Shatouni said main reason voice for Hezbollah-led coalition is “because I vote it will be against normalization with Israel.” He referred to recent agreements between Israel and the Arab Gulf states countries.
“The election in Lebanon today is not a local election. they are international elections,” referring to the political battle Between Iranian-backed groups and pro-Western factions.
after the election results be outThe government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati will become a caretaker government until the invitation of the President of the Republic for Consulting with The new parliament Individuals, who will choose next leading.
The new parliament will also elect new head of A country after President Michel Aoun six-year term expires .in the end of October.
Lebanon parliament Cabinet seats are divided equally between Muslims and Christians under the constitution, which was drafted shortly before the end of the civil war.
