Ahmed Murad (Cairo – Beirut)
There is a state of fear and anxiety prevailing in political and popular circles in Lebanon about the decline in interest in the issue of the “presidential vacuum” in light of the multiple and complex crises facing the country, especially with the increasing military tension in some regions of the south, amid the worsening economic and living repercussions resulting from the vacancy of the presidential position since November 2022. Which made millions of Lebanese live in extremely difficult situations.
The Lebanese writer and analyst, Youssef Diab, explained that the presidential file is no longer a priority for those concerned with the matter in Lebanon, especially with the acceleration of tension in the south, and the escalation of war harbingers in the region from time to time, which hinders or undermines any attempt to elect the President of the Republic.
Lebanon entered what is known as the “presidential vacuum” as of the beginning of November 2022, and over the course of a year and a half, the House of Representatives held 12 sessions, and failed to elect a president for the country, due to the lack of consensus between the political parties.
The Lebanese writer and analyst said in a statement to Al-Ittihad: It is too early to talk about electing a new president of the republic before the military tensions witnessed in the southern regions end.
Diab stated that the developments in southern Lebanon override all constitutional entitlements, including the presidential and municipal elections, and if the circle of war expands, these entitlements will become “news,” and thus will be postponed until further notice.
The Lebanese Constitution sets the term of the President of the Republic at 6 years. Upon the expiration of this term, the President may not be re-elected except after another 6 years. He is elected by the House of Representatives, which has 128 members, through secret ballot with a two-thirds majority in the first session, while an absolute majority is sufficient. In the following voting cycles.
The Lebanese writer and analyst, Asaad Bishara, explained that time is running out for Lebanon in light of the worsening political, economic and social repercussions resulting from the vacancy of the presidential position, indicating that the crisis will not be resolved in the short or medium term due to the tensions in the south and the disruption of the House of Representatives sessions to elect the new President of the Republic.
Lebanon has previously witnessed a vacancy in the presidential position three times, the first between September 1988 and November 1989, the second between November 2007 and May 2008, and the third between May 2014 and October 2016.
Bishara stated in a statement to Al-Ittihad that any obstruction of the election of the President of the Republic is not in Lebanon’s interest, and confronting the crises facing the country must begin by electing a new president, then forming a national salvation government with full constitutional powers that enable it to implement the required reforms.
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