Flexibility on the "Lebanonization" of the Presidency: Questions Arise

The flexibility exhibited by Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in his recent appearance regarding the presidential file has raised several questions about the seriousness of Nasrallah's retreat from endorsing the nomination of the head of the Marada Movement, Sleiman Frangieh, in favor of a consensus candidate. Well-informed political sources told "Anbaa" that what is currently happening in the political arena at the start of the new year, whether through the movements initiated by the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, or from Nasrallah's recent speech, clearly indicates a fundamental change in the political practice that was previously adopted by the March 8 coalition, leaning towards a Lebanonization of the presidential election without linking it to regional developments. The sources noted that Nasrallah's recent positions encourage the opening of serious dialogue that would lead to an agreement on a political figure to end the presidential vacuum and to be balanced among the political forces. It is expected that the coming days will witness movements in this direction, which has recently been reflected in the statements of Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt calling for dialogue, and subsequently, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea expressing openness to dialogue if it helps elect a president, in addition to the repeated calls for dialogue by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.