Latest news with #BeirutMunicipalCouncil
LBCI
03-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Will Beirut's municipal elections break tradition? Here's what we know
Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian After three delays, each for a different reason, Lebanon is expected to hold municipal elections starting May 4, divided into four phases. As with previous elections, concerns have resurfaced regarding the preservation of sectarian balance within the Beirut Municipal Council. The council, made up of 24 members, traditionally consists of Muslims and Christians, despite Muslims making up roughly 70% of Beirut's electorate, making them the largest voting bloc. This imbalance has never affected the sectarian balance in the council. Historically, elections have been held through strong lists that include all political forces, ensuring no one could bypass the system under the majority system. However, today, the fear is growing. The Future Movement has yet to clarify its electoral stance despite its leader's announcement of his return to politics. The Christian presence in the capital has also dwindled, further exacerbating fears that Muslims could dominate the entire municipal council, especially if multiple lists are formed, with winners primarily from one sect. With one month left until the municipal elections, discussions are intensifying, and several proposals have emerged. One proposal is to hold elections based on a closed, complete list system, ensuring sectarian balance, as suggested by MPs Waddah Sadek and Mark Daou. Another idea is to divide Beirut into two municipalities under what is called the Beirut Municipality, or adopting the first and second parliamentary districts, as they were before 1997. These proposals were put forward by the Strong Lebanon bloc. A proposal put forward by MP Hagop Terzian suggested that each district select its own candidates. Another suggestion is to create a single list that includes all political forces, with Sunni groups, holding the "electoral key," leading the effort. As weeks pass and the municipal elections approach, the question remains: Will the principle of sectarian balance hold, or will Beirut surprise everyone?
MTV Lebanon
03-03-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Salam receives UAE invitation for Arab Media Summit, meets several visitors
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam received an invitation from UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to participate in the Arab Media Summit, which will be held next May in Dubai. The invitation was delivered to Premier Salam by the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Lebanon, Fahed Al Kaabi. Earlier, Premier Salam received a delegation from the Beirut Municipal Council, headed by Mayor Abdullah Darwish, who said after the meeting: 'We congratulated Premier Salam on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan and on the vote of confidence.' Darwish said that the visit was an opportunity to present the current condition of the Beirut Municipality and its related affairs and concerns. Salam also met with a delegation from the World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU), headed by Abbas Fawaz, with whom he discussed the situation of the Lebanese Diaspora. Salam highlighted "the important role and contribution of the Lebanese Diaspora in the recovery and renaissance of Lebanon." For his part, Fawaz said after the meeting that the delegation briefed the Premier on the activities of the Lebanese Diaspora, specifically WLCU activities and the conferences that will be held in Lebanon. Salam then received the Lebanese Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Fouad Dandan, with whom he discussed the conditions of the Lebanese community in the UAE.
