General Joseph Aoun, chief of the Lebanese army, received 71 votes in the first round of the parliamentary election, but the fight for president is far from finished. While this number falls short of the two-thirds necessary to instantly propel him to the president, it does put him in the driver’s seat for the victorious camp in the forthcoming second round of voting.
The Lebanese Parliament convened a special session on Thursday to select the country’s next president; 128 legislators were in attendance. The parliamentarians elected General Joseph Aoun, who is 60 years old, with 71 votes. But a two-thirds majority is needed to win the presidency in the first round, and this was not enough; 86 votes are required.
Several lawmakers yelled for a second vote right away after Speaker Nabih Berri abruptly adjourned the session till 2:00 pm (1200 GMT). Since the tenure of previous President Michel Aoun ended in October 2022, Lebanon has been operating without a fully functional government. This political standoff has been further deepened by this delay.
The Fight for Lebanon’s Presidency
There have been more than twelve unsuccessful election procedures in Lebanon, and the country has yet to select a new president despite many rounds of voting in parliament. Antagonism between Hezbollah’s followers and those opposed to the political party persists, highlighting the persistence of the country’s political rift. Because of this, the country has been unable to pick a president, who is essential for getting the government back to normal operations and resolving the present problem.
For a candidate to be considered for president in Lebanon’s 128-member parliament, they need to receive 86 votes, or a special majority. A secret ballot is used to elect the president. Lebanese sectarian power-sharing agreement, the National Pact, states that the victor should be a Christian Maronite. For the first round of voting to be successful, a two-thirds majority is needed; however, in following rounds, all that is needed to choose the new president is a simple majority.
Which Candidate Is Most Popular?
The presidential candidate with the most support is General Joseph Aoun. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict twice prolonged his tenure, which he was appointed to in March 2017. His term was originally intended to finish in January 2024. Consequently, Aoun has become the most popular political figure and is now running for president.
By staying away from public media interactions during the race, Aoun has bolstered his campaign. He has garnered significant support from foreign players due to his military history and the unwavering support of the United States, a major financial backer of the country’s army. If elected, he would be the first serving army leader to become president of Lebanon, a historic feat in and of itself.
A prominent economist named Jihad Azour is running against General Aoun in the election. Azour has strong backing from those who are against Hezbollah. With a background in international finance, Azour has been the head of the IMF’s department for Central Asia and the Middle East since 2017.
The current head of Lebanon’s General Security Agency, Elias al-Baysari, is another possible contender. Because of his long association with Hezbollah, Baysari is running for office, which is reflective of the power struggle that exists in Lebanon between different political and sectarian groups.
Obstacles Regarding Aoun’s Constitution
Legal hurdles are preventing General Aoun from running for president, despite his popularity. It is theoretically impossible for a sitting head of army to become president of Lebanon, according the country’s constitution. Even though this requirement has been waived before, Aoun’s candidacy still faces procedural hurdles due to it.
Many foreign players consider Aoun as a contender due to his military experience and strong connections to the United States, even though he has not officially declared his candidacy. If Aoun is elected president of Lebanon, he will make history as the country’s first chief of staff to hold the office.
