These are elections full of surprises, with one of the most notable being the loss of Eli Frangieh, the candidate for the Orthodox seat in Bikfaya and Rashaya, despite his victory being nearly assured. However, a breakthrough by the "Sahlna wa al-Jabal" list in the Sunni seat reshuffled the cards, resulting in Frangieh exiting the competition, with the seat going to Ghassan Skaf from the National Decision Independent list. Frangieh, who has held the position of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament since 1992, except for the period after 2005 when he lost in the elections, returned in the 2018 session, and his loss will pave the way for a significant battle to elect a successor for the Deputy Speaker position.
The balances have changed, as the 2022 Parliament is unlike any previous one. The sizes of parliamentary blocs have altered, notably between the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement, along with the entry of activism forces into the council with a significant number of deputies. It is expected that they will form one or more parliamentary blocs, thereby having an influential voice in any entitlement, particularly the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
All eyes are on the prominent Orthodox names that could be candidates for this position. From the Lebanese Forces, the elected MP Ghassan Hasbani is considered the most prominent due to his prior experience as Deputy Prime Minister, making him a natural candidate.
The Free Patriotic Movement is also involved in this entitlement, with its notable Orthodox MPs being Elias Bou Saab and Asaad Dergham. Meanwhile, the new partner represented by the activist MPs and reform forces will also have its say, especially with the presence of former Bar Association president MP Melhem Khalaf under the Parliament's dome, making him a likely candidate for the Deputy Speaker position.
The battle will be significant and will reflect the new balances within the council, especially since the chances of influencing the election of the Speaker are nearly nonexistent due to the absence of any Shiite MP outside the two blocs of Hezbollah and Amal Movement to nominate for the Speaker position. The refusal to re-elect President Nabih Berri for a new term will be a matter of position-taking rather than voting for an alternative to Berri. The name of the new Deputy Speaker of the Parliament cannot be finalized, as predetermined agreements have no place this time, and the democratic process will take its course. The voting will be effective, not just by a show of hands.
Nader Hijaz - MTV website
