## Nasrallah Brings Together Franjieh and Bassil to Arrange "Post-Elections Phase"

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah brought together his conflicting allies, Lebanese Forces head Suleiman Franjieh and National Free Movement leader Gibran Bassil, in an attempt to "organize relations between allies" and "lower the ceiling" of differences, in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections and beyond. Sources indicated that Nasrallah has been working for some time to unite his allies as part of efforts to narrow the gaps between all his allies and align their viewpoints. Political researcher Qassem Qasir, who monitors Hezbollah's affairs, stated that the meeting among the three parties "is a post-elections gathering," as "the party desires to organize its allies for that subsequent phase, ultimately forming a structured alliance capable of managing issues and files in the post-election period." Meanwhile, recent warnings have escalated regarding an unprecedented increase in electoral bribery due to the worsening economic conditions, as the date of the parliamentary elections approaches. Human rights organizations in Lebanon have documented the widespread vote-buying activities categorized as "in-kind and cash assistance," which have surged across all regions of Lebanon prior to the 2022 elections. The Lebanese Association for Electoral Monitoring noted that as the election deadline nears, political money becomes active in securing victory through the offering of loyalty and gratitude at the ballot boxes.