The "Progressive Socialist Party" is considered one of the biggest "winners" in the parliamentary elections, even without increasing the number of its representatives in the parliament. This success comes after the battle it fought against attempts to encircle it by "Hezbollah" through its allies in several regions, particularly in Chouf. While the results led to a shake-up that affected most parties, the "Socialist" party, whose leader Walid Jumblatt warned of a "new assassination" through the elections, calling for a "response to the attack at the ballot boxes," not only maintained its nine deputies but also manifested its victory through the significant defeat of its opponents.
Among those opponents are the head of the "Lebanese Democratic Party," Talal Arslan, and the former minister Wiam Wahhab, who allied with the "Free Patriotic Movement" with support from "Hezbollah." They were ousted in favor of two opposing candidates who the "Socialist" party views as a gain, especially since the elected Druze MP in Aley, Mark Daw, is known for his stances not classified as aligned with the resistant line. This is also true for the elected Druze MP in the South, Firas Hamdan, who contested against the banker Marwan Khairuddin, supported by "Hezbollah" and the Amal Movement.
Salah Hadeifa, the party's media commissioner, told "Asharq Al-Awsat": "We consider that we achieved the goals of the battle we outlined successfully, thanks to the choices of the people who still see in Jumblatt and the 'Socialist' the line that represents them, and most importantly, the Druze constitutional commitment that 'Hezbollah' tried to break was solidified."
Hadeifa discussed the dual battle faced by the "Socialist," clarifying: "Our battle was twofold: first, against 'Hezbollah' and the resisting bloc which made efforts to encircle us, using all material and moral weapons, including intimidation, only for the losers to later accuse us of bribery; and the second against the atmosphere created to say that we are corrupt, which was responded to by the people affirming that trust in us remains."
Hadeifa emphasized that the victory of Daw and Hamdan benefits the "Socialist" because they align with what is known as the sovereignty line, stating: "It is clear that people voted for sovereignty and reform. Therefore, electing those who have this orientation benefits us and does not harm us as long as they are aligned with the sovereignty line and not the resisting one."
In response to a question about the classification of the "Socialist" by opposition groups as part of the ruling parties, he added: "The people who entrusted the representatives of opposition groups are the same who renewed their trust in us. Therefore, if they care about change and confronting challenges to save the country, cooperation is essential. We need to stand with us in the battles we face in this direction."
- Carolyn Akoum - Asharq Al-Awsat
