The designated Prime Minister Najib Mikati has not visited Baabda Palace to discuss the government formation with President Michel Aoun since last week, leading to a slowdown in progress on the file after tensions arose between the two parties following the leak of the lineup Mikati presented during his first visit. This tension is compounded by Aoun's demands that hinder rather than facilitate the process. No positive signals have emerged from the president's team regarding the file; rather, stubbornness prevails until achieving governmental-political gains that Aoun and the Free Patriotic Movement can build upon after the end of the presidential term.
In this context, the head of the "Strong Lebanon" bloc, Deputy Gebran Basil, made an appearance yesterday to reiterate the same narrative, reminding the Lebanese of an old statement he often echoed during the formation of every government over the years of the presidential term. He stated that the president is a partner and has the right to express his opinions on all names and portfolios, backed by the largest parliamentary bloc, emphasizing that there are currently no demands from the movement or negotiations over portfolios.
However, it has become clear and established that the president is negotiating on multiple fronts, aiming to retain the Ministry of Energy. For this purpose, he has demanded the ministries of Finance and Interior on a rotational basis, but he knows that withdrawing Finance from the Shiite duo in the foreseeable future is not feasible, which strengthens his negotiating position, indicating that no government is in the horizon.
