It is not surprising that the decision of the "Strong Republic" bloc not to name a designated Prime Minister to form the upcoming government has raised significant debate among allies, adversaries, and even within the grassroots of the Forces. The ongoing discussion, which will remain open even after the sunset of the non-binding parliamentary consultations, is rooted in the options of the Forces, which have remained consistent with national principles. The Forces managed to enter the council with the largest Christian parliamentary bloc in the recent elections, making any position they take a crucial indicator. This led to an open debate regarding the reasons that prompted the Forces to decide against naming a candidate and choosing between the two personalities who were at the forefront of nominations for the premiership, President Najib Mikati and Ambassador Nawaf Salam. Is it conceivable that the Forces do not have a third option from within the Sunni community?
In his speech after the meeting of the "Strong Republic" deputies on the eve of the non-binding parliamentary consultations, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea clarified that "the two proposed candidates, namely President Najib Mikati and Judge Nawaf Salam, do not possess the required qualities for forming a serious government." Despite his explanation of the underlying reasons, the question and controversy remained open on social media and within salons: Why did the Forces not name a candidate, and is it plausible that they cannot find a figure from the Sunni community, rich in potential, to name? Where is the spirit of national partnership and the Christian role in this domain?
"The choice not to name does not mean withdrawing from the battle. On the contrary, this option signifies participation at the core of the challenge, and the Forces are concerned with this assignment and have expressed their opinion through non-naming," sources from the Forces state. They add: "All parties are treating the matter of forming a new government as if there will be an assignment, but the formation will be difficult or, at best, stalled. Any government formed will be a government of the term with 24 carats, wherein the 'ministers' of the term will accomplish what the ministers of the current caretaker government have failed to achieve, starting from appointments to decisions related to the International Monetary Fund and between them, issues that are equally critical and sensitive on the political and economic levels."
Limiting the nominations to the names of Mikati and Salam does not mean that the field lacks Sunni figures who meet the conditions and specifications set by the Forces for the future Prime Minister. The sources continue: "Who said that the Forces want to score points for the sake of points only or that they want to name someone just for the sake of naming? This is a matter of posturing and does not fall into the Forces' calculations." Regarding the option of naming Nawaf Salam three years ago, the sources clarify that they named him to signify that he is the model they want for the premiership. However, today the circumstances are different, especially since we are on the verge of the presidential election that will restructure all authority through the election of a new president.
Focusing on the Prime Minister's program is a priority, the sources say, in addition to the qualities he should possess, the most prominent of which are integrity, transparency, and rectitude, emphasizing that there should be an integrated link between the two issues. Thus, any figure qualified to take on a public office must first present their political program. While the sources affirm Judge Salam's integrity, his positions, and his national commitment, they preferred not to name him as it is not associated with a political project. They ask: "On what basis should we name Nawaf Salam if we do not know his position on Hezbollah's weapons, closing illegal crossings, the concept of resistance, and whether he supports the principle of allocating a ministerial portfolio based on sect?"
To these inquiries, the sources suggest the possibility that Judge Salam may not wish to take on the assignment, especially since he would be leading a government—for as long as he can form one—for a period of four months. Hence, he may not be motivated to assume this responsibility during a transitional phase rather than a foundational one, which would inevitably lead to "burning" names after joining the club of former prime ministers if the designated prime minister fails to form a government or if he manages to form a government under the conditions of the term. In either case, it would damage his image by the end of the term. They do not hide their fear that the launch of any new government under this term would be provocative and would divert attention from the critical challenge of electing a new president. Hence, the preference remains for the old and the focus on the presidential challenge.
With the formation now behind us and the vision clarified with the assignment of President Najib Mikati, albeit with a somewhat unsatisfactory number of votes, it remains to emphasize that the Forces' slogan, "We want and we deserve," was not merely an "electoral slogan." "Our positions are clear, as are our options regarding the governmental challenge, and the choice to not name is the optimal choice as the goal is to navigate the remaining phase of the term with the least possible smoothness and losses," the sources conclude.
