Beirut, May 15 (BNA) Polling opened today, Sunday, in the first parliamentary elections in Lebanon since the country’s economic collapse.
Voting was scheduled to start from 7 am (0400 GMT) in 15 constituencies, with candidates vying for 128 seats divided among 11 religious groups under the sectarian power-sharing system, Reuters reported.
Since Lebanon’s last vote, the country has suffered an economic meltdown that the World Bank blamed on the ruling class, and a massive explosion in the port of Beirut in 2020.
Voting was scheduled to start from 7 am (0400 GMT) in 15 constituencies, with candidates vying for 128 seats divided among 11 religious groups under the sectarian power-sharing system, Reuters reported.
Since Lebanon’s last vote, the country has suffered an economic meltdown that the World Bank blamed on the ruling class, and a massive explosion in the port of Beirut in 2020.
But while analysts believe public anger could help reform-minded candidates win some seats, expectations are low that a major shift in the balance of power will occur, with Lebanon’s sectarian political system skewed in favor of established parties.
FKN