The current state of the relationship between "Hezbollah" and the "Free Patriotic Movement" is seen as a natural outcome of numerous disagreements, with the presidential elections being the tip of the iceberg. However, does this mean that the understanding will completely collapse, leading to changes in the internal equation and repercussions for both parties? This question looms in the political circles of Beirut, given the clear facts that confirm that all attempts to "curtail" the collapse have succeeded so far, as both leaderships desired this, seeking formal justifications for their separation. It has become clear that the understanding needs something different to return to a rosy state.
Having taken their respective "portions" from each other, the situation has reached a point where "smudging" the differences is futile, especially since these differences are not merely superficial. However, "keeping the friendship" is a decision that the party has resolved to adhere to, as it will resume its communication with the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gibran Bassil, through the party's Coordination and Liaison Unit head, Wafiq Safa. Sources revealed that "a meeting will be held in the coming days to reaffirm the policy of always reaching out and continuing friendship, regardless of the existing divergences."
In light of this, consultations within the political body of the movement continued; the group met yesterday at Bassil's home in Bayadah to determine their voting stance during the election session called by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday. Prior to the session, which lasted five hours, there was information about pressure from some of the movement's deputies to avoid voting with a blank ballot, alongside "a number of Free Patriotic members insisting on endorsing a name from within the bloc."
This atmosphere led to a brainstorming session where the Orange bloc split into two opinions: one supporting the nomination of their leader, Bassil, and the other stressing not to dismiss any name with chances within the movement, before everyone ultimately agreed to return to the option of voting blank on Thursday due to the movement's unpreparedness to support any name.
Parliamentary sources stated that "the lengthy session did not reach a decisive opinion regarding a nomination but rather served as an opportunity to present everything being discussed in the presidential market these days," agreeing that "this path requires discussion with other blocs." The sources pointed out that "Bassil does not have any names to endorse," but he emphasized "the necessity of choosing a name that is acceptable to Hezbollah, a point that several deputies concurred with," without ruling out the possibility of nominating an internal name that has winning chances.
In this context, informed sources described the movement's decision not to name any candidate as part of an exchange of positive messages with Hezbollah, aimed at containing tensions. This might also be a response to Hezbollah not providing support for caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to hold a government session; as of yesterday, Mikati had not received a response from the Hezbollah-Aamal duo regarding the session or concerning the agenda discussed during Mikati's meeting with "the Khalil brothers" two days ago, which could include a single item related to electricity.
