Tensions have escalated between the "Free Patriotic Movement" and the "Lebanese Forces" following the general session that extended municipal and selection councils. What was previously hidden or postponed has now come to light, as the status quo of the quiet calm under the banner of Christian unity to confront necessary legislation has collapsed. The "Free Patriotic Movement" sought to secure Christian quotas for the extension session.
The justifications for the "Free Patriotic Movement's" presence at the extension session varied. Its leader categorized it as a necessity to avoid compounding municipal voids alongside the presidential and governmental voids, while attacking the government and the interior minister. The party's MPs argued that elections cannot be held due to the absence of nominations, unpreparedness of the state, and fear of vacancies, accusing others of demagoguery. In contrast, sources from the "Lebanese Forces" claimed that the financial allocations were secured, calling the extension a national crime, suggesting that the “Free Patriotic Movement” had no interest in holding elections because the results would disappoint it.
The differing approaches to the extension issue highlight significant divisions within the Christian community. The party opposing the municipal elections allied itself with the pro-Delay Hezbollah duo, while the "Lebanese Forces" aligned itself with the "change makers" and opposition by rejecting the delay.
What happened in the municipal elections reflects the ambiguous relationship between the two Christian blocs and the lack of harmony and security in their interactions. The "Free Patriotic Movement" now faces the challenge of being honest with the Christian public and convincing it of the reasons and justifications, especially since it contributed to the arrangement of the extension session and was strongly in favor of it. According to Christian political sources, the party has added another crisis to its already extensive list of crises. Gebran Bassil is encircled by challenges, has burned his bridges, and severed political ties with everyone. His major crisis involves the presidential file, stemming from the insistence of the Hezbollah duo on naming Suleiman Frangieh, which has led him to frequently elevate his rhetoric for uniting Christian support around him.
Presidential elections represent a pivotal moment for the "Free Patriotic Movement." For this reason, Bassil has sparked numerous side battles over the presidency for various goals. This has strained relations with the parties in Harat Hreik, the Grand Serail, and Ain el-Tineh, with a current focus on escalating tensions against Mikati to rally wavering Christian spirits under the slogans of Christian rights, quotas, and partnership.
According to political sources, the core issue of contention between the "Free Patriotic Movement" and "Hezbollah" now centers solely around one file: the presidential elections and support for Frangieh's candidacy, alongside the complaints from the Aounist team about attempts to isolate them and form a political front against them to undermine their public image.
Nonetheless, some believe that the electoral schism between Harat Hreik and Mirna Chalouhi may not last long, and it is not at all difficult for their relationship to return to its natural state. The bond between the leaderships of both parties still exists, and many positive signals have been recorded. Recently, former President Michel Aoun visited the southern suburbs to attend a mass for St. Joseph, which was interpreted as an Aounist shift back to the ally, especially since Aoun is reportedly trying personally to salvage the remaining ties between the "Free Patriotic Movement" and "Hezbollah." It is also mentioned that the movement has recently intervened in its media and on social platforms to control the reactions of its supporters and prevent activists from making statements that could harm the relationship with "Hezbollah."
The extension of municipal and selection councils has restored political alignments to what they were, as the "Free Patriotic Movement" returned to coordination with the duo and its allies, while the "Lebanese Forces" proceeded to align themselves differently after uniting in recent months with the "Free Patriotic Movement" to boycott the parliament and government.
