Jebran Basil, the leader of the "National Free Movement," announced his candidacy for the presidency of the movement in a video posted on social media titled "Let's Continue Together the Journey of Struggle That Began in 1988." In his candidacy speech, Basile stated, "September 10th is the date of the elections for the presidency of the movement, as well as a date where we reaffirm our commitment to our system and that we be an institution that adheres to the decision and will of its members, and its authority emerges from the people."
He added: "Any member who meets the legal conditions and possesses the competence and capability to lead the movement, or is dissatisfied with my leadership or organizational management, and has a better project, is welcome to run, and I will accept the result and commit to the leadership of the movement."
Basil addressed the acclimation he received for the presidency in the previous two terms, describing it as "democratic but with a decisive result in favor of the sole candidate who was not contested by anyone." He said, "The system of the movement is presidential; it is the only political party in Lebanon that elects its president directly from the base consisting of 40,000 members on a closed list, along with two vice presidents: the first for political affairs and the second for administrative affairs. I will choose and announce them within the specified timeframe on August 25th, and I will also appoint two other vice presidents with specific tasks according to the system."
He continued: "During the national conference on March 14, I presented my vision for the movement in 2030, which is my electoral program based on three axes: an active movement, a capable society, and a unique entity. An active movement means you are either for accountability or punishment, for commitment or slackness, for the cause or selfishness, for the movement or for other movements, for firmness or ambiguity. In a capable society, you are either for depositors or for banks, for independence or dependency, for confrontation or the system, for the ballot or the ballots, for secularism or sectarianism. In the unique entity, you are either for rooting or abandoning identity, for return or settlement, for defensive strategy or the current situation."
He concluded: "With all these factors, it's known where I stand, and you are invited to decide your position. Those with Jebran should express it in the elections, while those against should declare their candidacy; however, after the elections, everyone must adhere to the result, and together we will put an end to the doubts about the movement and its strength."
