Political clashes are beginning to emerge in Lebanon regarding the format of the government that is supposed to be formed. There is a stark disagreement between those calling for a majority government and those believing in the need for a national unity government that includes all parties represented in the Lebanese Parliament, similar to most previous governments in Lebanon. This divergence is likely to be a significant reason for delaying the formation of the government indefinitely.
The Lebanese Forces Party is at the forefront of those demanding a majority government, asserting that its parliamentary bloc is the largest among Christian parties and that, alongside its allies, it holds the parliamentary majority. In contrast, Hezbollah is advocating for a national unity government, a stance likely supported by its allies. Meanwhile, President Michel Aoun has not yet announced any position in this regard, pending the outcome of upcoming electoral events, including the election of a Parliament Speaker and Deputy Speaker, followed by appointing a Prime Minister, according to sources familiar with presidential stances.
Sources tell Asharq Al-Awsat: "President Aoun is monitoring reactions and positions and does not have a decisive inclination in this context until the constitutional procedures and upcoming electoral events are completed, and this issue will also be a topic of discussion between him and the appointed president."
Yesterday, Deputy Hassan Fadlallah reiterated Hezbollah's position, referring to the "illusory majority" and rejecting the "rule of the majority." During a tour in the southern villages, he stated, "We have started to hear high conditions and ceilings related to forming the government, which means that some have the intention to obstruct and not cooperate, undermining the principle of partnership, believing that if they gain one more parliamentary seat, they can govern the country. Those who think this way are deluded and live in dreams, having not learned from all past experiences."
He added, "When we call for national partnership, it comes from a position of strength, from the hundreds of thousands of votes that were cast for our lists, from our strong popular presence in all arenas. However, those who speak of illusory majorities live in a different world away from Lebanese reality. They need to return to their Lebanese identity to realize that we live in a country of diversity, where no single color majority can rule, as the sectarian structure does not allow for any single majority to govern."
In response, leading sources within the Lebanese Forces assert that the parliamentary elections resulted in a new majority that includes, in addition to the Lebanese Forces bloc, the Kataeb Party, the Progressive Socialist Party, what is referred to as the "new Sunni situation" (the Sunni deputies opposing Hezbollah), as well as the deputies representing reformist groups, all totaling 66 members. They tell Asharq Al-Awsat: "We want a majority government based on the fact that the other team has ruled in several one-color governments, and all these governments reached an impasse and failed to rescue Lebanon from its crisis. This is a result of this team's performance and its refusal to take reformative steps based on its interests."
Consequently, sources emphasize that "it is impossible to go to a partnership government with this team, as it constitutes one of the main obstacles to rescuing Lebanon from its crisis... Therefore, it must now open the door to a majority government to begin the path of reform after the elections that produced a majority. The parliament should become a monitoring space, and the government should be an executive tool because we cannot continue with two conflicting political projects under one roof," stressing that "this is the only option that can put the country on the path of salvation."
Leader of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, has been decisive in this regard, repeatedly emphasizing the importance of forming a majority government. His latest remarks were made days ago to Agence France-Presse, stating: "What they call national unity governments are merely... we are for an active majority government," consisting of "a cohesive team united on a single project," adding: "If a government is formed that inspires confidence and credibility, it is very likely that Arab relations will return to what they were previously, and Arab assistance will gradually flow into Lebanon, as it will also speed up negotiations with the International Monetary Fund."