The Salam surprise: A victory with many challenges ahead
Weakened, Amal and Hezbollah blocs may have let things slide on Monday, but they know that the vote of confidence cannot proceed without their support — and they intend to leverage this power.
Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc after a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, during parliamentary consultations on Monday, Jan. 13, 20204, in Baabda. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Nawaf Salam’s appointment as prime minister has taken many by surprise. On Monday, the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) secured the position after 84 MPs nominated him in binding parliamentary consultations, leaving caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati — Hezbollah and Amal’s preferred candidate — with just nine votes. And, Amal and Hezbollah, ended up abstaining, casting blank votes. This marks the first time since 2008 that a prime minister has been appointed without the backing of the two Shiite parliamentary blocs. Read more Binding parliamentary consultations: Hezbollah and Amal confront their limits once again Despite broad support, Salam now faces a difficult road ahead. Forming a government and securing parliamentary confidence will prove challenging without Amal and Hezbollah’s support, which would not...
Nawaf Salam’s appointment as prime minister has taken many by surprise. On Monday, the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) secured the position after 84 MPs nominated him in binding parliamentary consultations, leaving caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati — Hezbollah and Amal’s preferred candidate — with just nine votes. And, Amal and Hezbollah, ended up abstaining, casting blank votes. This marks the first time since 2008 that a prime minister has been appointed without the backing of the two Shiite parliamentary blocs. Read more Binding parliamentary consultations: Hezbollah and Amal confront their limits once again Despite broad support, Salam now faces a difficult road ahead. Forming a government and securing parliamentary confidence will prove challenging without Amal and Hezbollah’s support, which...
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