On Sunday, Lebanese citizens participated in the country’s first local elections in nearly a decade, a significant event following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that concluded a 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah. The elections focused on municipal councils and mayors, primarily occurring in regions of Mount Lebanon, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, which suffered extensive damage during the conflict. This area is notable for being Hezbollah’s stronghold and where many leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, were notably impacted by Israeli airstrikes.
While these municipal elections are not as influential as the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for 2026, they serve as an important indicator of public sentiment towards political parties, particularly in the south, where Hezbollah and the Amal Movement are likely to dominate the polls. Supporters of these parties were visible outside polling stations, promoting their candidates in an environment marked by the remnants of devastation.
Voting occurred in public schools near ruins of bombed structures, highlighting the urgent need for rebuilding efforts, with the World Bank estimating reconstruction costs at over $11 billion. The delays in holding these elections, postponed multiple times due to budgetary issues, have been a point of contention among voters, who expressed their primary concern for rebuilding homes and livelihoods.
Candidate Mohammad Awali, running for a municipal position in Haret Hreik, emphasized the significant responsibilities that local councils face in addressing the extensive destruction in the area. The elections symbolize not only a political process but also a step towards recovery for the communities devastated by the recent conflict.
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