Local Elections in Lebanon Proceed with Low Voter Turnout

Overview of the Elections

Lebanon held its first local elections in approximately a decade on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in around 70 municipalities surrounding the city of Beirut and in regions of Mount Lebanon. The Lebanese Interior Ministry reported a voter turnout of 45.08% across all municipalities, as citizens geared up for the central elections scheduled for the following year. The elections primarily targeted areas in Mount Lebanon and the suburbs of Beirut, with the city of Beirut itself not participating.

Key Election Areas

The elections took place in various key regions, including:

• Kesrouan-Jbeil: Located to the north of Beirut, in western Lebanon.
• Aley District: Situated south of Beirut on Mount Lebanon.
• Aqab District: The capital city of the Mount Lebanon Governorate and the official residence of the president.
• North Metn District: Adjacent to Beirut, lying to the north.
• Chouf District: North of Sidon, located south of Beirut.

Polling occurred in public schools, many of which stood near ruins and buildings destroyed in previous Israeli attacks during the war. Originally scheduled for years prior, these local elections were postpstartd multiple times, including once due to “budget constraints,” according to the Associated Press.

Diverse Political Landscape

The current local elections featured a variety of lists, largely consisting of family and local groups. A small number of the lists received support from the newly elected president, Joseph Aoun, whose party, the “Free Patriotic Movement,” is a Lebanese Christian political entity. Additionally, several lists were backed by the right-wing Christian group, “Lebanese Forces.” Generally, most of the lists did not align explicitly with any major party, including Hezbollah.

While it remains uncertain whether the Lebanese populace will support parties endorsed by President Aoun or those associated with Hezbollah, it is crucial to note that elections in the southern regions, where there is a significant Shiite population supportive of Hezbollah, have yet to occur.

Implications and Future Elections

Upcoming elections are set to take place in Sidon on May 24, as reported by the Arabic website “Al-Nashira.” Notably, during the recent elections, Hezbollah appeared outside polling stations, with party flags and members present to assist voters in supporting their candidates.

Sami Abi Al-Muna, a prominent Druze spiritual leader, characterized the election day as a “genuine democratic day” and expressed hope that the democratic process witnessed in Lebanon might extend to Syria, contributing to regional stability amidst ongoing conflicts faced by the newly elected president of Syria, Bashar Al-Assad.

Although President Aoun displayed significant enthusiasm for the municipal elections, with thoughts reflecting their importance beyond local governance, critiques suggested that local elections should not dictate a country’s broader political direction. Nstarttheless, these elections could provide insight into the political orientations within local authorities and the potential influence of various parties on Lebanese public opinion, depending on the region.

Regional Developments with UAE

In related news, President Aoun successfully negotiated with the United Arab Emirates, resulting in the lifting of a travel ban on Lebanon. This decision will enable Lebanese citizens residing in the UAE to fly back and vote starting May 7. Following his discussions with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Aoun expressed gratitude for the swift response to the request made during their recent meeting in Abu Dhabi