War-ravaged and economically stricken Lebanon conducts local elections for the first time in nearly a decade.
Voters Cast Ballots in First Local Election in a Decade Amid Post-War Rebuilding Efforts
Sunday saw Lebanon's first local election in nearly a decade, held just months after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The voting is taking place region-by-region, with the initial round focusing on Mount Lebanon districts, including Beirut's southern suburbs.
These suburbs, where Hezbollah headquarters are located, saw significant destruction during the 14-month war, with much of their leadership, including veteran leader Hassan Nasrallah, being targeted by Israeli airstrikes.
The elections for mayors and municipal councils, while not as significant as the upcoming 2026 parliamentary election, serve as a gauge of the war's impact on political support, particularly in the south where Hezbollah and allies hold strong influence.
Predecessors Hezbollah and fellow Shiite party the Amal Movement are predicted to secure the majority of votes for municipal councils and mayors in Beirut's southern suburbs. Supporters were readily seen outside voting stations, donning party flags and green and yellow paraphernalia, supporting their candidates.
Voting points were also set up in public schools near the debris of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes. The Lebanese government, strapped for cash, is actively seeking international funds to cover the estimated $11 billion reconstruction cost.
The polls were initially scheduled years ago but were delayed on three occasions, including postponements over budgetary constraints. Residents interviewed expressed concern about rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.
Mohammad Awali, a Haret Hreik municipality candidate, emphasized the local council's essential responsibility, particularly given the extensive damage in their area.
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Hezbollah, a significant political and military force in Lebanon with ties to Iran, and the Amal Movement, a Shia political party led by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, are widely influential in Lebanon's political landscape. These parties commonly maintain influence in Shia-dominated areas through local elections.
Rebuilding efforts in war-torn Lebanon have faced numerous challenges, including the Syrian civil war spillover, domestic political instability, and economic crises, all of which have hindered reconstruction.
While local elections can impact party influence and local governance, they may not significantly alter national political power structures. For example, if Hezbollah or the Amal Movement perform well in local elections, it reinforces their political standing but may not directly accelerate rebuilding efforts.
The upcoming local elections in Lebanon, held amid post-war rebuilding efforts, are expected to further strengthen Hezbollah and the Amal Movement's political standing in Beirut's southern suburbs, where voting stations have been set up in public schools near the debris of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes. Despite the local elections' impact on party influence and local governance, they may not directly accelerate rebuilding efforts due to the country's ongoing economic crises and political instability. The Lebanese government, seeking international funds to cover the estimated $11 billion reconstruction cost, is actively navigating these challenges in the midst of local elections.
