Parliament

Electoral Law Tinkering

Lebanon has never held parliamentary elections without first revisiting its electoral law. The country stands out for its persistent search for voting systems that cater to the shifting political landscape and the interests of dominant parliamentary parties. While the Taif Agreement established governorates as electoral districts, the 1992 ...

PM Nawaf Salam's Government Gains Parliament's Confidence with 95 Votes

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government gained the confidence of 95 MPs of the 128-strong parliament on Wednesday at the end of the two-day debate of its policy statement. At the end of the deliberations, and ahead of the voting, Salam made the following remarks in response to the MPs who took the floor representing the various parliamentary ...

The Government's Challenge in Gaining a Vote of Confidence

To establish its legitimacy, Nawaf Salam’s new government must overcome one final hurdle before effectively taking power. After its formation on February 8, 2025, and the drafting of its ministerial statement last Monday, the cabinet will face its ultimate challenge: gaining the confidence of Parliament.  Thus, during a plenary session ...

Invalid 2025 Draft Budget to Be Returned to Cabinet Urgently

On October 4, 2024, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati's government issued Decree No. 14076, submitting the 2025 draft budget to Parliament. Signed by Mikati and Finance Minister Youssef Khalil, it has since been left untouched, pending review by key committees, notably the Finance and Budget Committee and the Administration and Justice ...

'We Are Committed to the Reconstruction of Southern Lebanon'

The brief statement by the new Prime Minister on the day of his appointment raises questions. While it is unthinkable for the South to remain neglected, using the “we” pronoun may prompt further scrutiny. Who exactly does “we” refer to? The utterly bankrupt state? Surely not—it doesn’t have the means. The savings of depositors? ...

Stormy Start to the 13th Session to Elect a President

The thirteenth session for the election of a President of the Republic opened with a dispute between those who contest the election of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, General Joseph Aoun, who enjoys a large parliamentary majority, and those who want Lebanon to finally have a President. MP Melhem Khalaf, an ally of the Speaker of the House, ...

Ongoing Negotiations Ahead of the January 9 Presidential Election

As of today, it appears unlikely that the parliamentary session scheduled for January 9 will result in the election of a new president. However, the days leading up to this session are expected to see intense political activity, with hopes remaining high for a breakthrough—whether through consensus or by securing the necessary 65 votes. Many ...

Joseph Aoun: A Unanimously Respected Leader and a Vote that Doesn't Reflect Reality

On November 28, Parliament opted for a package deal that would satisfy the interests of the various parliamentary blocs. All of them? No, because some 47 of the 98 members of Parliament present in the hemicycle opposed the vote, under which the one-year extension of the term of office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Joseph Aoun, was ...

Revaluation of Inventories and Fixed Assets: A Strategic Advantage for Businesses

Industrial and commercial business owners are celebrating a major victory. Last Thursday, Parliament passed in a plenary session the bill amending Article 45 of Decree-Law No. 144 of June 12, 1959 (the Income Tax Law). This amendment grants "exceptional authorization" to income taxpayers, allowing them to revalue their inventories and real estate ...

Parliament Approves Extension of Army Commander’s Mandate

In a session on Thursday, the Lebanese Parliament approved the extension of mandates for security chiefs holding the rank of Brigadier General and above, including Army Commander General Joseph Aoun. His term, initially set to expire in January 2025, has been extended for another year amidst political divisions and ongoing regional tensions. The ...