Lebanon's Parliament Struggles to End Presidential Vacancy

Lebanon’s parliament convened once again in an attempt to elect a president, aiming to resolve a two-year leadership void.

In the first round of voting, army commander Joseph Aoun emerged as the leading candidate with 71 votes out of 128 but fell short of the two-thirds majority required for a decisive win. Other legislators submitted blank ballots or cast votes for alternative symbolic choices.

The session, presided over by Speaker Nabih Berri, was adjourned for a brief recess before lawmakers returned for further rounds of voting.

This marks the 13th attempt to select a successor to former President Michel Aoun, whose term ended in October 2022. Signs suggest that this session could finally yield a president. Joseph Aoun, not related to the former president, is seen as a favored candidate backed by international players pivotal to Lebanon’s recovery.

Previously, a different candidate, Suleiman Frangieh, had been supported by certain factions. However, Frangieh recently withdrew and endorsed Aoun, strengthening the army chief’s prospects. Opposition groups also expressed their support, aligning to push the candidacy forward.

The country’s deeply entrenched sectarian political system, which designates the presidency to a Maronite Christian, has been a source of prolonged stalemates. Past presidential vacancies, such as the one between 2014 and 2016, lasted years.

Although Aoun’s military position poses constitutional challenges, including a prohibition on active commanders assuming the presidency, these obstacles have been bypassed in previous instances. For Aoun, a two-thirds majority will remain necessary even in subsequent voting rounds.

Other contenders, including former Finance Minister Jihad Azour and security official Elias al-Baysari, have stepped aside, clearing the field for Aoun.

The new president will face immense challenges, including managing the aftermath of the recent conflict and addressing Lebanon’s protracted economic crisis. The nation has endured a six-year financial collapse, eroding its currency and devastating household savings. Critical reforms, essential for unlocking international aid, remain stalled.