FPM leader Gebran Bassil. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Free Patriotic Movement head MP Gebran Bassil solidified his candidacy in upcoming parliamentary elections on Sunday, telling a large audience gathered at his party’s seventh annual conference that the FPM has “held out for 15 years to achieve liberation and are ready to persevere for years to achieve liberation.” The FMP leader also slammed the cabinet's decision not to establish megacenters in time for this year's parliamentary elections.
Here’s what we know:
• Referencing the party's founder Michel Aoun's campaign in the last year of Lebanon's 1075-90 Civil War, Bassil said, "On March 14 '89, the general launched the battle to liberate sovereignty, and we on March 14, 2022, and under his watch, declare it a war to liberate Lebanon's economy and the deposits of the Lebanese."
• During his speech, Bassil launched a tirade against the cabinet’s decision last week not to establish voting megacenters in time for elections, saying, “Those who have money control the media, and those who do not have money are controlled by the media. This is clear, even with the megacenters. Those who have money don’t want the megacenters, as they are depending on influencing people however they please.”
• The FPM had been advocating for the establishment of megacenters that would enable members of the electorate to cast ballots without having to return to the town or village in which their vote is registered. Many however contended that the party’s support for such centers was a ruse to delay the date of elections on the grounds that the centers’ establishment would not be possible prior to the scheduled date of the polls, May 15.
• In his speech, the former foreign minister and energy minster also slammed his party’s political opponents, accusing the March 14 alliance of launching a “political assassination” campaign against the Free Patriotic Movement.
• Bassil also spoke of “ a large party that is the party of corruption” describing it as a “warlike chameleon.” This party, he said, “enjoyed their gains during their reign and when it ended, they changed their skin and rode the wave of freedom,” continued Bassil, adding “They intensified the campaign against us on Oct. 17 and adopted the revolution, even though they were partners in the ruling ….” The FPM’s main Christian political opponent, the Lebanese Forces led by Samir Geagea, has since the Oct. 17 uprising of 2019 sought to align itself with Lebanon’s opposition groups and against the country’s establishment parties.
• Ending his speech, Bassil cemented his stance in the elections, saying he stands for “freedom, sovereignty and independence.”
• Bassil publicly supported the presidency, a title currently held by his party’s founder and father-in-law. While Bassil himself has not indicated that he will seek the office when President Michel Aoun’s term ends in October, there is speculation that he plans on it.
• In his speech, Bassil pledged his support for the development of the civil state, economic reform, as well as a productive economy.
• Lastly, Bassil announced his party's candidates for the May 15 elections. The FPM supports Nicolas Sehnaoui in Beirut I, where eight seats are to be filled, and Edgard Traboulsi in Beirut II, where 11 deputies will be elected. In Mount Lebanon I, where candidates are vying for eight seats, the FPM nominated Simon Abi Ramia in Jbeil and Nada Boustany in Kesrouan. In Mount Lebanon II (Metn, 8 seats), Eddy Maalouf, Elias Bou Saab and Ibrahim Kannan are candidates. In Mount Lebanon III, a constituency represented in Parliament by six MPs, MP Alain Aoun is running for a new term in Baabda. In Mount Lebanon IV, which will bring 13 deputies to the chamber, César Abi Khalil is the FPM candidate in Aley and Ghassan Atallah in the Chouf. In North Lebanon I (seven seats), Bassil named Assad Dargham and Jimmy Jabbour as candidates in Akkar. In the constituency of North Lebanon III, Georges Atallah is running in Koura and Pierre Raffoul in Zghorta. Bassil also announced his own candidacy for Batroun, where two Maronite seats are up for grabs. In South Lebanon I (five seats), the FPM presents three candidates in Jezzine: Salim Khoury, Amal Abou Zeid and Ziad Assouad. Sélim Aoun will be a candidate for Zahle in Bekaa I (seven seats) and Charbel Maroun in Bekaa II (six seats). Bassil also indicated that the Greek-Catholic candidate for the Bekaa III constituency will be determined later.