This is Beirut - elections

The Elections May Not Be the Problem, but They Are Certainly Not the Solution

Johnny Kortbawi, 17/10 10:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Amal Hezbollah Israel Elections Nabih Berri

The upcoming parliamentary elections are highly important, marking a defining moment in Lebanon’s history. Since independence, the country has held many elections, each shaped by its own circumstances. Some of these elections have stood out as true turning points, reshaping Lebanese politics and strengthening the balance of power in the ...

Iraqi Parliamentary Candidate Killed Near Baghdad

This is Beirut, 15/10 12:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Iraq Baghdad Safaa al-Mashhadani elections

An Iraqi parliamentary candidate was killed and three of his bodyguards wounded when a bomb exploded near his car north of Baghdad, a security source said. The incident is the first killing of a candidate ahead of Iraq's parliamentary elections, scheduled for November 11. "A bomb exploded under the vehicle of Safaa al-Mashhadani, a current ...

Who Gains from Delaying the Elections?

Johnny Kortbawi, 07/10 09:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Elections Parliament Lebanon

Lebanon’s parliamentary elections, scheduled for spring 2026, face an unprecedented delay as political actors across the sectarian spectrum weigh their strategic interests. For the first time in the country’s history, postponing the elections appears to be a shared goal. All parties are unprepared, whether directly or indirectly, to hold the ...

Why Did the Government Overlook the Report on District 16?

Johnny Kortbawi, 03/10 13:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

elections Lebanon parliament voting law District 16

Different considerations govern expatriate voting, an issue on which Speaker Nabih Berri was adamant, declaring that “Bible and Quran precede electoral law,” meaning the article in question will not be amended under any circumstances. This leaves us with two possibilities: either proceed with the law as it stands with District 16 included in ...

Parliament to Convene Monday – No Electoral Law on Agenda

This is Beirut, 24/09 17:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Parliament Nabih Berri Elias Bou Saab Elections Taif Agreement

Parliament is set to convene at 11 AM on Monday, September 29, with 17 legislative items on the agenda following a preparatory meeting of the Parliament Bureau on Wednesday chaired by Speaker Nabih Berri. The session will address a range of government draft laws and MPs’ proposals. These include agreements with the Arab Organization for ...

Cabinet Tasks Interior Minister to Relay Electoral Law Flaws

This is Beirut, 16/09 21:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Cabinet Elections Parliament expatriates budget

The Cabinet agreed to task Minister of Interior Ahmad al-Hajjar with relaying to Parliament the government’s concerns over ambiguities in the electoral law to allow next year’s parliamentary elections to proceed without legal challenges. The decision was taken during a Cabinet session convened on Tuesday at the Grand Serail under the ...

Syrian Parliamentary Elections Postponed in Sweida, Raqqa and Hasakah Due to ‘Security Challenges’

This is Beirut, 23/08 18:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Syria Elections Raqqa Hasakah Sweida

The Supreme Committee for the People’s Assembly (Parliament) Elections in Syria announced on Saturday the postponement of parliamentary elections in the provinces of Sweida (south), Raqqa and Hasakah (northeast) due to “security challenges.” Nawar Najma, the spokesperson for the Supreme Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, reported ...

Texas Adopts Electoral Map aimed at Preserving Trump's Congress Grip

This is Beirut, 23/08 15:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

United States U.S. Congress Elections Donald Trump

Texas legislators approved early Saturday a new electoral map aimed at carving out five new Republican-leaning seats in the state to help the party retain control of Congress in next year's midterm elections. President Donald Trump had pressured Republican-run Texas to create the new map to help prevent Democratic opponents from taking over the ...

Republicans and Democrats Go to 'War' Over US Election Map

This is Beirut, 06/08 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Washington Elections Gerrymandering Texas

Donald Trump is pulling hard on the levers of power to strengthen Republicans through redistricting in Texas and other states -- the latest offensive in escalating moves by both sides to shape the battlefield of US democracy for the midterm elections. The president's efforts have lit a fuse in multiple states, triggering a high-stakes tussle over ...

Arms and Ballots: Hezbollah’s Political Stakes

Philippe Abi Akl, 08/07 09:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hezbollah Amal Israel Elections Diaspora

The most recent parliamentary session exposed deep divisions among Lebanon’s political forces over the electoral law – particularly on the issue of expatriate voting. The rift was so intense it raised concerns that the entire electoral process could be derailed, especially by parties whose interests have been harmed by recent local, regional ...

Lebanon’s Shia Bloc and the Emigrant Vote Dilemma

Johnny Kortbawi, 27/06 16:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Amal Hezbollah Diaspora Vote Elections Lebanon Shia

Lebanese emigrants have found themselves entangled in a crisis not of their making—namely, the existential crisis of the Shia community amid unfolding developments across the Middle East. Calls to amend the provision governing emigrant voting—whether by assigning them to Electoral District 16 or allowing them to vote for MPs in their home ...

Where Law Meets Anxiety

Johnny Kortbawi, 06/06 17:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Elections Parliament

Lebanon is poised to enter a contentious and unpredictable debate ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, with disputes already emerging over the electoral law that will govern the vote. Tensions escalated after Speaker Nabih Berri rejected expatriate voting and called for a new electoral law, describing the current legislation as a ...

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