The presidential election in Lebanon is entering a week of deeper discussions about potential candidates, with the "Free Patriotic Movement" announcing that it will decide on Tuesday the name and the consensus candidate it will support. Meanwhile, the opposition is exploring a roadmap that could lead to a "comprehensive proposal," amid the inability to reach an agreement among the parliamentary blocs on a consensus figure capable of gathering two-thirds of the parliament members' votes.
Since the first session to elect the president in parliament on September 29, the various blocs have failed to agree on a single figure who could secure the votes of two-thirds of parliament members in the first session or ensure the presence of two-thirds of the members to meet the quorum in the second session for presidential elections, as stipulated by the Lebanese constitution. The votes are currently divided between blank ballots cast by representatives of "Hezbollah," "Amal Movement," the "Free Patriotic Movement," and their allies, and MP Michel Moawad, supported by the "Lebanese Forces," the "Progressive Socialist Party," and independent MPs. Those voting with blank ballots are pushing for a "consensus" on a single figure capable of winning a two-thirds majority.
After the "Free Patriotic Movement" refrained from naming any candidate, the "OTV" channel, which is affiliated with the movement, reported that member of the "Strong Lebanon Bloc," MP Assad Dergham, stated that the bloc will convene next Tuesday to decide on the naming and the consensus figure it may vote for in the upcoming session.
