Elections in Lebanon: the end of the Syrian era
For the first time in 30 years, there will be an anti-Syrian majority in the Lebanese parliament. In this new situation, Patriarch Sfeir hopes all parties will collaborate towards the rebirth of the country.
Beirut (AsiaNews) The latest round of the 2005 legislative elections clearly mark the end of the Syrian era in Lebanon. With the vote in the north, the Chamber of Deputies has a new physiognomy. The so-called "Bristol opposition" (named after the hotel where the alliance was formed between Hariri, Jumblatt, the Lebanese Forces, and Kornet Chehwane) has won all 28 seats at stake and now holds a secure majority in parliament.
The elections reveal a final detachment from Damascus, but also hold the signs of a new political scenario in the country.
The victory of the opposition gathered around Saad Hariri has caused a political Tsunami in the Lebanese political world, although its significance is not yet clear. The quasi-complete victory in the north can be explained in many ways. Some say the Sunnites made a plebiscite and enthroned Hariri (a Sunni), as the Christians had previously done in other areas (with Aoun in Mount Lebanon; the Druse with Jumblatt; the Shi'ites with Nabih Berri and Nasrallah). However, the north voted for "the spirit of 14 March" of inter-faith, anti-Syrian demonstrations, giving new life to this movement. The vote of the north, like that in Mount Lebanon last Sunday, are "hope-votes".
There are also accusations of corruption: according to Aoun, Saad Hariri palmed out at least 35 million dollars to buy votes. Aoun also charged that his supporters were assaulted in Akkar.
In any case, one fact is clear: the Chamber of Deputies is now dominated by the Future bloc, led by Saad Hariri, who clinched victories in Beirut and Tripoli, the two largest cities in the country. Michel Aoun is set to be parliament's most prominent Christian figure, seeing that elections in the north led to the defeat of Suleiman Franjieh, one of the old guard of Lebanese politics, traditionally linked to the Assad family. It is not yet clear if the alliance between Aoun and Franjieh will endure after the electoral results.
The majority acquired in parliament heralds reasons for rejoicing: it is hoped that pro-Syrians and friends of President Lahoud will find themselves in a minority and perhaps Lahoud himself may pushed to resign.
But they must also realise the hopes held by many: will they accept to change the sclerotic electoral law, which plainly brought them to parliament? Will they allow Christians to work fully within this coalition or will they be marginalized? Will they implement much dreamed-about (anti-confessional) reform? Will they compel the Hezbollah to disarm? Will they elect a successor to Emile Lahoud [imposed by the Syrians ndr] before 2008? Is there an alternative to Nabih Berri as president of the parliament? Will Lebanon be even more polarised from a faith point of view or is this really the start of a new chapter?
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir seems to be hinting at all these questions. In his homily yesterday in Bkerke, he expressed appreciation for Aoun's victory last Sunday. "This shows," said the patriarch, "that part of the Lebanese population felt marginalized, excluded, oppressed, that their voice had no importance." He added: "We hope that what happened will not lead to confrontation. Now all communities are on an equal footing, all have a leader who represents their strengths. We hope cooperation towards the re-birth of the country will prevail over self-interest; that the tribal spirit will end and that we will head towards the edification of the country [made up] of parties and manifestoes, where the manifesto first of all, before men, will be taken into consideration and discussed."
.png)
