Lebanese political forces have shifted from forming electoral lists and alliances for the parliamentary elections scheduled for mid-next month to energizing voters through election rallies characterized by mutual attacks, heightened rhetoric, and accusations. The head of the "Free Patriotic Movement," Gebran Bassil, launched an attack on the "Lebanese Forces" party without naming it, stating: "We will hold accountable those who rode on our shoulders until they arrived, betrayed us, jumped from the ship, and participated in the crime of sinking the country." Meanwhile, Timour Jumblatt, head of the "Democratic Gathering," pledged to continue "the battle for sovereignty, affirm Lebanon's Arab identity, its natural relations with Arab countries, and the independent, free national decision."
The announcement of electoral lists continues in several districts. President Fouad Seniora, during a Ramadan Iftar organized by the Union of Beirut Family Associations for the "Beirut Facing" list he supports, stated that "Lebanon is going through a difficult period that requires our collective efforts to save it." He noted "the refreshing Arab air returning to Lebanon with the return of Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari and Kuwaiti Ambassador Abdul Aal Al-Qenai to Beirut." He added: "This refreshing air returns after we nearly ran out of breath, and I say this because Arab Lebanon faces an intensifying campaign to change its Arab identity and to subjugate and kidnap its state, which Beirut and the Lebanese reject." He continued: "Today, we stand on the brink of parliamentary elections, and it is of utmost importance in this election to exercise this electoral right and duty so that no one can seize Beirut's decision or Lebanon's decision, nor allow a group of opportunists and adventurers to take over."
Seniora called for massive participation on election day and to vote for the "Beirut Facing" list. He stated: "Our negligence will only lead us to certain failure. Our participation and voting for this list, like our brothers in other regions representing this sovereignty line, will serve to support those who rightfully represent them. Thus, we can become a sovereign group capable of preserving this great heritage we inherited from our forefathers and will pass down to our children so they can live a dignified life."
In Mount Lebanon, Timour Jumblatt, at the announcement of "The Partnership and Will List," affirmed a refusal to surrender, stating: "Our conviction is that the voice of reason is the only thing required at this stage against the absurd." He continued: "Our battle is one of justice, dignity, life, and the rights of the people stolen by a group that took everything and left us without a homeland." Jumblatt acknowledged the deep crisis Lebanon faces and attributed part of it to the structure of its political system but insisted: "We cannot surrender. We want to confront it with conscious will." He declared that the Progressive Socialist Party would push for all reforms "for an economic recovery plan with the IMF, for a fair tax system, and to protect the country's institutions, identity, freedom, diversity, and stability."
He added: "We do not wait for elections to define our stance and vision for Lebanon; our positions are clear on all issues, from an independent judiciary to reforms in electricity, the environment, health, promoting production, and maintaining our country as an advanced center for healthcare and education." He indicated: "We know that change does not happen overnight, and that things will become more challenging in the upcoming phase; therefore, our hand is extended to every true partner who cares about the country, including individuals and essential forces with us on the list from the Lebanese Forces and the Liberals."
In parallel, MP Gebran Bassil, during the announcement of the "Beirut First" list, claimed that his opponents "thought they could eliminate us and that election time had come to bury us." He added: "They besieged us and choked us with sanctions, money, media, and alliances, trying to encircle us," but conversely, "we have nominated and allied and formed lists all over Lebanon, and we will have MPs throughout Lebanon." Bassil attacked the Lebanese Forces party, stating: "We will hold accountable those who rode on our shoulders until they reached us, betrayed us, jumped from the ship, and participated in the crime of sinking the country." He insisted: "We want to hold accountable those with whom we opened the door for forgiveness and made reconciliation based on being a united supportive team for the presidency, while they elected the president to fail him and overthrow him, boasting about it."
Sami Gemayel, the head of the Lebanese Kataeb Party, confirmed that "the battle is great, but we will win it." He stated: "After all the struggles we've fought, we will remain loyal to a free, sovereign, and independent Lebanon," adding: "In all circumstances, we have not surrendered, and we will certainly not surrender today." He expressed at the celebration of the "On Board Change" list, which he leads in the Metn region: "The elections will be a referendum between our approach and the approach of allocation and corruption." He addressed his supporters: "On May 15, you will be the ones to decide if change is possible or not."
