The newspaper "Al-Liwaa" reported: High temperatures have increased in the electoral machines, with nomination campaigns and provocative programs, while civil society groups before and after October 17, 2019, seem to be struggling to catch their breath, getting lost in the world of major lists aligned with the authority or made up of its ruling currents, distributed between what is called "the system" and the era of "great collapses." All of this occurs against the backdrop of a cold polar storm, marked by a sharp drop in temperatures and freezing conditions intensifying at night in the mountains and on the coasts, with almost no sunlight, expected to clear in the coming hours. Nominations are set to resume tomorrow, Tuesday, coinciding with the closure of the nomination deadline at midnight on March 15, marking the start of fueling electoral machines and rallying supporters amidst general public indifference to the entire movement, except for those held captive by party cards or food aid cards, with a good health development regarding the decline in COVID-19 infections to below 500 yesterday.
Informed political sources confirmed to "Al-Liwaa" that the electoral file is heading towards more developments in light of the alliances being formed. They pointed out that the coming weeks may witness the outbreak of this battle either in speeches or positions to rally the base, while at the same time, many Lebanese are concerned about the repercussions of developments such as generator shutdowns, rising gasoline prices, resource scarcity, and price hikes on their livelihoods. They noted that some forces would try to win over citizens based on this file, whether through providing cash or in-kind assistance.
In the midst of this electoral turmoil, political sources indicated that the electricity plan, which was tentatively approved by the Cabinet but not finalized, remains suspended, awaiting the removal of remaining obstacles, particularly concerning the Selata plant’s inclusion or exclusion from the plan. This plant is insisted upon by MP Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement, despite objections from other stakeholders and the lack of necessity for it, coupled with the cessation of ongoing communications with some international companies interested in participating in implementing the plan, notably Germany's Siemens.
Sources relay that there are calls for appointing the regulatory authority for electricity to oversee the execution of the aforementioned plan and supervise necessary reforms in the electricity sector. This is also to satisfy the International Monetary Fund's demand in this regard, to facilitate and expedite reaching an agreement with the government on the anticipated economic recovery plan. The sources reveal ongoing communications between the Presidents of the Republic and the Government and other parties to explore the possibility of appointing the regulatory authority members in mutual agreement, independent of other pending appointments in public administrations and institutions. Some names have been proposed for appointment; however, there has yet to be a conclusive agreement on the suggested names.
As much of the Lebanese population engages in securing their livelihoods and fuels for heating, the Cabinet is set to hold a routine session on Wednesday at the Grand Serail. Today marks the anniversary of the launch of the March 14 Movement, which has repeatedly divided upon itself, now further manifesting political split, especially in participating in parliamentary elections. Early signs of reviving this occasion appeared in political statements made yesterday by Gebran Bassil, who announced 20 candidates for the movement across all districts, with the name of the Catholic candidate in Jezzine to be announced later. Meanwhile, Samir Geagea, the head of the Lebanese Forces, will announce positions for the occasion today, while the deadline for candidacy submissions ends at midnight today, leading to preparations for forming and announcing lists, with various obstacles met by certain forces in certain districts.
The political and electoral scene’s image has become somewhat clearer ahead of the closing of nominations and the crystallization of alliances and list formations, especially following the removal of the last excuses for postponement, which was financial by confirming the allocation of funds for the electoral process. This will grant the electoral battles, which have started intensifying, a broad and perhaps sharp field due to the slogans, titles, and programs each political group is advancing its battle according to. These have become clear and public, increasing political and popular polarization, potentially facilitating voters' choices in supporting one side or another, yet may complicate them, leading to abstention from voting, as people despair of any possibility to improve their political, economic, and social realities. Some current MPs have already refrained from running, stating in their discussions, "the situation does not support any progress, and whatever we do, there’s no possibility of achieving results."
The reluctance of former Prime Ministers Saad Hariri and Tamam Salam, along with some of "Future Movement" MPs and MP Michel Pharaon not to participate in the elections, may further add to the confusion and ambiguity of the scene, especially if Prime Minister Najib Mikati decides in the coming hours to announce his own non-participation, alongside some current deputies from his bloc such as MP Nicolas Nahas who have similarly indicated their reluctance to run.
"Al-Liwaa" has learned that Mikati’s overwhelming inclination is towards refraining from running. His sources stated that he is still assessing the matter based on certain calculations, and within hours, he will decide on his position and announce it, along with the reasons behind his decision. Meanwhile, President Fouad Siniora is moving forward with arranging some lists in Beirut and the north where he can, despite the challenges in Beirut II. His nominations in the capital are limited to some known faces (names like former ministers Khaled Qabbani and Hassan Mneimeh are being circulated) and some lesser-known figures. However, in the Tripoli, Dinniyeh, and Miniyeh constituencies, the picture is clearer with notable candidates emerging such as MP Sami Faddah, Karim Muhammad Kabara, and Othman Alameddine, who may be joined by Dr. Mustafa Alloush, even though some reports indicate his intent to form a list comprising independent figures to avoid provoking Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the "Future" audience.
Some information suggests that President Siniora is still studying his options, although he is unlikely to stray from the path of previous prime ministers, with a firm decision on his candidacy expected tomorrow, Tuesday.
The "Free Patriotic Movement" launched its seventh national conference titled "We Were... and We Will Remain" yesterday at 12:30 PM in "Forum de Beirut," announcing the movement's candidates for the parliamentary elections, featuring a speech by its head, MP Gebran Bassil, which included a detailed explanation of the conference's content and main themes—including combating corruption, restoring depositors' rights, uncovering the culprits behind the Beirut Port explosion, as well as protecting national sovereignty and financial and economic recovery, amongst other issues concerning the public interest.
In his speech, Bassil proclaimed "a liberation war for Lebanon's economy and the deposits of the Lebanese," considering that some individuals aim to topple the Free Patriotic Movement and himself during the upcoming elections, stating: "They hold elections on blood and at the expense of the truth, but we remain the Free Patriotic Movement, and no one can erase us." He added: "There is a large party in Lebanon—the party of corruption—akin to a chameleon, while the colorful ones enjoyed gains during the era of tutelage, and when that era ended, they changed skin and rode the wave of freedom, afterwards calling themselves a revolution."
He continued: "The project of some in the elections is to topple Gebran and the movement, not to reform the state and the economy. Those with funds do not want 'mega centers' in the elections because they depend on transporting people at their own expense; we, who do not have money, will not be able to transport citizens to polling centers. Nevertheless, only God knows where some parties will lead the dollar during the elections." He added: "In the past, they introduced weapons into our society, committed assassinations, and instigated revolts; now they are introducing political money to corrupt our society and environment. Yes, the project is to topple us, and for this reason, they abolished district 16 and prevented the mega center, and tomorrow they will prevent scrutiny of financial disbursements."
Bassil asserted that some parties conduct elections on blood and at the expense of the truth, stating, "Elections alone will not create major change because in Lebanon, the majority is theoretical, and the grand promises tied to the majority are an electoral lie." He declared, "We ally electorally while preserving our political freedom, and we do not abandon our cause nor engage in corruption or subordination. Ask the prince’s son about his alliance with the sheikh’s son in the name of revolution and change; ask the son of the red revolution about his alliance with the son of the colorful revolution; ask the son of corruption about his alliance with the son of the false revolution."
He concluded: "We are for neutralizing Lebanon, preventing settlement, and facilitating the return of displaced people. We are for Lebanon as an Arab Eastern country, open and with economic cooperation." It was notable from the candidates' names that the nomination of Brigadier General Faysal Karam in Zgharta was ruled out, replaced by Biyar Refoul. Only Alain Aoun has been nominated in Bickfaya, the stronghold of the Aounists, due to issues and resignations that occurred, after three Maronites were initially nominated. Sharboul Maroun is nominated in Western Bekaa despite some reservations even among supporters of the movement.
The electoral program of the Free Patriotic Movement, as made clear from the speech of its current head, MP Gebran Bassil, focuses on personal and political attacks on the Lebanese Forces party and its head Samir Geagea. He accused Geagea of being "a criminal; even if he emerges physically from prison, he remains imprisoned by his thoughts, wanting to kill politically," accusing the Lebanese Forces of "major corruption" and comparing them to a "colorful chameleon."
There also appears to be a dimension of settling scores with his Christian opponents, especially the Lebanese Forces and the deputies who were on his list in the previous elections, losing his nominations by 20 deputies from his bloc, while ongoing negotiations remain for naming a Catholic candidate in Hezbollah’s list in Baalbek-Hermel, compensating for the Syrian Social Nationalist Party with a Maronite candidate in Beirut, likely to be the former head of the labor union, Ghassan Ghosn.
Parliamentary sources noted that three of Bassil's candidates were eliminated in Kesrouan, leaving only former Minister of Energy Nada Boustani, while current MP Hikmat Dib was excluded from Baabda, and Bassil retained his candidates from the last elections: Ziad Aswad, Amal Abi Zayd, and Salim Khoury. Antoine Pano was eliminated from Beirut, while Jimi Jabour was added to Akkar alongside As'ad Dergam. Deputies Elie Ferzli from Western Bekaa and Mario Aoun from Chouf were also ruled out, along with Fares Boustani, while Sharboul Maroun replaced Ferzli in Western Bekaa.
Political sources described Bassil's statements upon announcing the names of the movement's candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections—during which he attacked all political parties except for Hezbollah specifically—as aimed at stirring the emotions of supporters and mobilizing their sentiments against political rivals, tightening their political unity on the election threshold. Thus, it is fair to say these positions are purely electoral in tone, devoid of content, and a tiresome repetition of accusations towards his opponents, attempting to evade the disastrous failure of the Aounist era in political performance and governance over the past five years and to this day. Moreover, it’s a transparent attempt to disentangle from the personal culpabilities of wasting and dissipating tens of billions of dollars in the electricity sector over the past ten consecutive years, along with the direct responsibility for completely destroying this sector, proven by what all Lebanese, of all backgrounds, affiliations, and regions, are experiencing in terms of the severe decline in power supply to the extent of complete darkness.
The sources questioned how Bassil believes that his statements and fake movements will mislead the Lebanese people, who now know him by heart. Therefore, such actions and convoluted gestures no longer convince anyone; instead, they increase public resentment and distance the Lebanese from him.
One of the first reactions came from independent MP Ni'mat Afram, who expressed astonishment at what Bassil said, pointing out that he did not receive a single vote from the Free Patriotic Movement, announcing the formation of his list consisting of five or six individuals.
On the Shia front, President Nabih Berri will announce the candidates of the Development and Liberation Bloc in a press conference held at noon today at the second presidency headquarters in Ain al-Tineh.
In Sidon, it has been confirmed that MP Osama Saad is moving towards an alliance with the Kataeb Party in Jezzine, distancing himself from an alliance with the "Amal" movement - Hezbollah duo. It remains unclear whether he will ally with the left or the October 17 movements, while communications with Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Bazri are ongoing to form a unified list.
Activist Hassan Ahmad Khalil announced his candidacy for the parliamentary elections in the Southern second district alongside lawyer Bushra Khalil, businessman engineer Riyad Al-Asaad, and head of the Depositors' Association Hassan Mogniyeh. Khalil emphasized his aim to form a complete list in opposition to the list that President Nabih Berri will lead in the same district.
On another front, "Future" addressed its electoral decision, issuing a statement urging anyone who submitted their resignation and announced their candidacy for the parliamentary elections not to use the movement's name, slogans, or symbols in their electoral campaigns. It emphasized that members should refrain from marketing electoral projects or any candidates and from participating in any activities or electoral machines. The movement extended respect and appreciation to all its members across the Lebanese regions who align with the decisions and directions of President Saad Hariri, particularly the current deputies and officials who announced their abstention from candidacy, as well as the movement's cadres and public who adhere to President Hariri’s directives and the circulars issued by the movement.
In other news, for the third time during his tenure as Patriarch, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi will visit the Maronite Archdiocese in Cairo starting next Friday evening until Tuesday the 22nd, where he will meet with spiritual and civil dignitaries, notably the Egyptian president. The patriarch will inaugurate a hall at the archdiocese named after the venerable Hweik and dedicate a hall at the Maronite School named after Father Youhanna Tameh, who left a significant impact in Egypt.
Financially, information circulated regarding banks' intention to impose a health deduction of 400 lira from each employee's salary (haircut) should they wish to receive it in full, coinciding with an open strike by faculty members of the Lebanese University starting today.
In health, the Ministry of Health announced in its daily report the recording of 486 new COVID-19 infections and 7 deaths within the last 24 hours, raising the cumulative total to 1,084,600 confirmed laboratory cases since February 21, 2020.
