After almost ten years and a bloody war, Lebanese citizens went to the polls to vote in the local elections. These are the first since Israel and the militant group Hezbollah ceasefire.
The first voting series, which takes place by Region, started on Sunday in the districts of Mount Lebanon, including the southern suburb of Beirut, where the Hezbollah and a large part of their leadership are located, including Hassan Nasrallah veteran leader which was killed on Israeli air strikes.
The surveys for mayors and municipal councils, although not as significant as the parliamentary elections of Lebanon for 2026, are a barometer in the way the devastating war which left more than 4,000 dead and whole people destroyed had an impact on support for politicians and the parties, especially in the south where Hezbollah and its allies are strong.
Hezbollah and his other Shiite party The Amal movement should win most of the votes for municipal councils and mayors of the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Party and members flags carrying green and yellow accessories were present outside the polling stations, helping the supporters wishing to vote for the candidates of the parties.
The vote also took place in public schools near the wreckage of buildings destroyed in Israeli air strikes. The Government short of Lebanon has a break to guarantee international funds for reconstruction, which the World Bank estimates that more than 9.7 billion euros.
The municipal elections would have taken place years ago, but the government has postponed them three times, including once on budgetary constraints.
Voters said they were particularly concerned about the reconstruction of their homes and their livelihoods.
Mohammad Awali, a candidate who presents himself for the municipality Haret Hreik, said that his local council “had great responsibility, in particular given the in -depth destruction that occurred in our region”.
Editor • Rory Elliott Armstrong
