election

Who is Lebanon's Long-Awaited 14th President Joseph Aoun?

When considering the implementation of a ceasefire—fragile at best—a devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel, the second-largest non-nuclear explosion in history, an unprecedented economic collapse, an unparalleled political paralysis, an attack by ISIS on Lebanese soil, all compounded by Lebanon's deeply rooted sectarian tensions, one ...

The Lebanese Diaspora in Canada Spells Out Its Vision for the Aspired President

The Lebanese-Canadian Coordinating Committee (CCLC) has presented its “vision for the Lebanese president,” as a session to elect a new head of state is scheduled for Thursday. “We need a president who puts the well-being of the nation above his personal interests (...) who unites all Lebanese (...) who ensures respect for the Taif Agreement ...

Can Joseph Aoun Be Legally Elected on January 9?

According to Article 49 of the Constitution, “judges and first-category public officials, or their equivalents in all public administrations, public institutions and any other legal entity governed by public law, cannot be elected during the exercise of their functions or within two years following the date of their resignation, cessation of ...

Electing a President vs. Agreeing on One!

In the forthcoming session, Lebanon does not need to elect a president but rather to agree on one. This distinction is significant and critical, especially given the current circumstances. Electing a president could have been achieved before former President Michel Aoun left office, during successive and uninterrupted parliamentary sessions that ...

Rai Cautions Against Postponing Presidential Election

In a sermon given on the International Day of Peace on Wednesday, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai called for vigilance, pointing out that “the presidential election scheduled for January 9 must take place.” He warned against postponing the session, indicating that such a maneuver would risk compromising the confidence of the Lebanese and the ...

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 ...

The Maronite Curse…

During World War I, a remarkable event, known as the Christmas Truce, occurred on Christmas Eve. Along the Western Front in Europe, opposing soldiers, without an official ceasefire or wide public announcement, gathered to share a meal in the spirit of Christmas. This holiday has the power to inspire miracles, provided faith is present. As Jesus ...

Akram Halabi Re-Elected: A New Impetus for Lebanese Basketball

In a context where stability is crucial for the development of sports in Lebanon, Akram Halabi was reelected on Sunday as president of the Lebanese Basketball Federation for a third four-year term. The election was marked by record club participation and unanimous confidence in his list, elected by acclamation during the general assembly held at ...

Scholz's Party to Name Him as Top Candidate for Snap Polls

Olaf Scholz will on Monday be officially named to lead his centre-left Social Democrats into Germany's snap elections in February, but the embattled chancellor faces a tough fight to win a second term. The way has been cleared for Scholz to become the SPD's chancellor candidate after his popular defense minister, Boris Pistorius, ruled himself ...

Georgian Parliament to Convene After Contested Vote

Georgia's new parliament is to meet for its first session Monday amid opposition protests over an allegedly rigged election and the pro-European president demanding the result be annulled. Nearly a month after the October 26 vote, won by the governing Georgian Dream party, political turmoil continues in the small post-Soviet country in the ...

Romania: Far-Right and Pro-Russia Candidate Takes Astonishing Lead

Far-right candidate Calin Georgescu surged unexpectedly in Romania's presidential election, pulling ahead of the pro-European prime minister with more than 98 percent of votes counted Monday and looking all but certain to advance to a runoff. Exit polls had initially shown centre-left Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu with a comfortable lead and put ...