Insiders confirm that a suitable strategic environment is needed to control the collapse; otherwise, economic and financial techniques alone lose much of their effectiveness and relevance unless accompanied by political support or protection. This is especially critical as the country has lost its resilience since 2019 and has become more fragile than ever, having exhausted most of its capabilities to adapt to crises.
Amid this reality, the cost of the presidential vacuum or the absence of an authentic government will be much harsher this time than what was previously paid, when the game of tricks used by the Central Bank and successive authorities postponed the explosion and "tamed" the repercussions of governance and systemic crises on the economy, until the game ended in a devastating collapse. This collapse revealed that time was being bought during a deceptive period of stability with high bills that accumulated and turned into a ticking time bomb that soon exploded.
Therefore, political solutions are foundational and not "accessories," allowing for the gradual rebuilding of resilience and, most importantly, the start of recovering trust, which constitutes the "password" for transitioning to the desired recovery phase.
A former official emphasizes that the economy is primarily political, and it is impossible to separate the two, as their interconnection has become organic. He stresses that the beginning of a positive transformation towards rescue is through electing a president who inspires confidence within the constitutional timeframe, followed by the selection of a prime minister suited to the scale of challenges ahead.
He notes that chemistry must prevail between the next president and prime minister, and their relationship should exhibit productive harmony, so that together they form a single team rather than two conflicting ones. The prevailing tragic situation cannot bear further enmity and fragmentation, especially since the bitterness and spite that characterized the relationships among the pillars of authority have led to a continued descent into the abyss, instead of searching for viable means to gradually exit it.
The former official considers that most of the political class is unqualified to manage the crisis, let alone solve it. He points out that since 2019, some have resorted to wasting opportunities and time. He adds: "At the beginning of the crisis, the dollar price reached 3,500 pounds, so it was still possible to control the fire and prevent its spread if a significant political decision had been made to rise above sensitivities and small calculations, and to implement necessary reforms promptly without any delay. However, some preferred to throw themselves off the ship and sit on the shore watching it sway amidst the storms and waves."
He indicates that there were successive meetings at that time, and rescue plans were developed, but none were implemented because some chose to prioritize their interests over higher national interests.
He continues his complaint: "As a former government official, I am ashamed to go to a restaurant in these harsh economic conditions. How can several current officials not feel embarrassed to spend vacations on European shores while Lebanese people are struggling with their hardships?"
In a related context, visitors to a high-ranking official convey a warning that "if courageous political decisions are not made and vital reform laws are not passed, you should prepare your passports for departure, as we will be facing the worst!"
