The picture remains unclear regarding the election of the President of the Republic, with no candidates officially announced to date. Meanwhile, the pathways to a solution seem blocked, and the border demarcation is not paved. Everyone is convinced that an upcoming regional settlement will bear fruit in resolving Lebanon's crises and facilitating the completion of required tasks after the election of the new president. Therefore, it also does not appear that white smoke will rise anytime soon; some assert that a vacuum scenario must precede any negotiations over the name of the new president. This strengthens the principle of rejecting most political forces' discussions about potential candidates on the grounds that the time for elections has not yet come, and the name has not been presented from abroad.
Despite this, according to political circles closely following the presidential election process, promoting any name at this time may weaken its prospects, leading to its "burning," such as that of Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun. They are currently the most frequently mentioned candidates, especially as the decisive phase, in which a group of new names could emerge, has not yet shown itself, a situation that might change in the period leading up to September.
Available information for "Akhbar Al-Yawm" agency indicates that the party will take into account the current President Michel Aoun, considering his political and popular status. The Free Patriotic Movement, associated with Aoun, is viewed by the party as the "fortress of Christians," holding the largest Christian bloc in the Parliament. In this context, sources close to the party indicated that the "Loyalty to the Resistance" bloc will not attend the presidential election sessions called by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri starting September 1, before reaching an agreement with Aoun on a name that satisfies him so that he does not emerge diminished in the electoral discussions, provided that the new president "fills" the vacuum that "the father of all" will leave, especially in relation to the party.
Amidst these atmospheres, the race appears heated, whether in terms of defining the characteristics of the next president, as Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi is doing, or in searching for possible options or supporting certain names, as is the case with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. Between "insanity" and "hell," is there a third salvational option?
