Struggling amid war and economic hardship, Lebanon conducts its initial local elections in nearly a decade.
In the heart of HARET HREIK, Lebanon, citizens cast their votes for local elections on a momentous day - the first time voters had the opportunity to choose their representatives in almost adecade, following the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that brought an end to the grueling conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The initial round of voting was held in the Mount Lebanon regions, including the battered southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah headquarters are located. The mere mention of these districts evokes memories of devastating Israeli airstrikes that claimed the lives of many, including the organization's veteran leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Still, the significance of these elections, while notable, falls short of the parliamentary election scheduled for 2026. The polls serve as a vital gauge, however, indicating the impact of the devastating war, which took more than 4,000 lives and left entire neighborhoods in ruins, on the support for local politicians and parties, particularly in the south where Hezbollah and its allies maintain a stronghold.
As anticipated, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement are tipped to secure the majority of votes for mayors and municipal councils in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Members from these parties could be spotted outside polling stations, adorned in green and yellow, enthusiastically assisting their supporters in casting their votes for their chosen candidates.
The voting process even took place in schools that were located near the remnants of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes. Anxious for change, Lebanon's impoverished government has been tirelessly seeking international assistance for the estimated $11 billion reconstruction cost, a burden that shows no sign of lightening anytime soon.
Originally planned for years ago, the municipal elections were delayed three times, including once due to budgetary constraints. For many voters, the prevailing concerns revolve around reviving their devastated homes and shattered livelihoods. Candidates like Mohammad Awali, a hopeful for the Haret Hreik municipality, have emphasized the council's crucial responsibilities and the immense work required to rebuild their ravaged community.
Funds for the estimated $11 billion reconstruction of damaged neighborhoods, including those in the southern suburbs of Beirut, might be sought from international sources, considering the enormous burden it poses for the impoverished government. In the aftermath of war-and-conflicts, the influence of political parties such as Hezbollah and the Amal Movement on general-news topics like local elections remains significant, especially in the war-torn south where they hold a stronghold.
