An unprecedented confusion and lack of clarity characterize the parliamentary consultations for the first time in the history of cabinet formation in the country over recent decades. These traits are merely a result of the political forces’ indifference to the necessity of the consultation and their lack of serious engagement, as they realize that no substantial formation or change can come from any government formed in the final months of President Michel Aoun's term, according to informed political sources for "Al-Markazia."
Thus, no real communications or significant pressures have been exercised by the players who usually intervene to align their allies before crucial constitutional stages, which is what Hezbollah did, for example, during the recent parliamentary elections. However, this time, Hezbollah refrained from strongly communicating with Mirna Chaalouhi, considering that the assignment or formation is not crucial today, and in fact, prefers the old situation in the Cabinet to continue, especially since the lifespan of the upcoming government will not exceed a few months. If it extends further, that’s fine, as the party effectively controls "Together for Rescue".
Consequently, Hezbollah attempted to persuade the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gibran Bassil, to nominate President Najib Mikati, but without much insistence. When he did not agree, they allowed him to act as he pleased.
On the opposite side, the disdain for the necessity was also evident. Sunni MPs and leaders did not mobilize adequately to propose a candidate or a list of candidates. The change MPs failed to agree on a nominee, and the Lebanese Forces did not find the qualifications they require for supporting either of the proposed candidates, Mikati or Nawaf Salam. In any case, Maarab was the most candid and revealed the real reasons for its refusal to make a nomination, regardless of whether the hesitance of a bloc as large as theirs in the Parliament was right or not.
The leader of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, stated yesterday, "As long as President Michel Aoun is in Baabda, he will not allow anyone to act, and thus all these considerations prevented the 'Forces' from making a nomination." He added: "Our conviction is that a new government will not be formed in the presence of President Aoun, or it will be a dysfunctional government; in both cases, we will not participate in it. I hope that the Speaker of Parliament and those concerned will, once Aoun's term ends, set sessions to elect a new president at the beginning of the constitutional timeframe, which is in early September, to head towards a new era and a new government, and then we can discuss further."
No party has given the necessary attention to the assignment; everyone prefers to maintain the governmental situation until the end of Aoun's term. Thus, the formation is likely to be unattainable unless Mikati re-presents the same composition to Aoun with some modifications agreed upon by the system’s stakeholders, the sources conclude.
