Nawaf Salam defends Beirut's 'unity' and assures municipal elections won't be postponed

BEIRUT — Prime Minister Nawaf Salam assured on Thursday that the municipal elections scheduled for May will take place on the planned dates, emphasizing the importance of "preserving the unity of Beirut," which he described as "a symbol of Lebanon's unity in its diversity."

"The government's stance remains firm regarding their holding on the planned dates, with a constant concern for transparency and integrity," Salam wrote in a statement posted on X. "As for the urgent legislative proposals presented by some deputies, particularly those concerning Beirut, the government has not had the time to study them. Thus, it was necessary to request their postponement."

In Thursday's Parliament session, Salam had recommended all bills concerning the Christian-Muslim balance, upheld in Beirut's municipal elections since the 90s, be postponed, arguing that they required a great deal of debate, to which Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri agreed, announcing the deferral of discussions on election-related laws to a "specialized committee."

In his statement, Salam emphasized his personal commitment "to preserve the unity of the capital, as a symbol of Lebanon's unity in its diversity."

"I am committed to ensuring that all its residents participate in decisions concerning their affairs. I am confident that the people of Beirut know perfectly well how to ensure fair representation of their city," he said. "Beirut is a historic, welcoming city that guarantees each of its children their place."

A debate on issue of preserving the Islamic-Christian parity within the Beirut Municipal Council specifically was on Thursday's agenda. Observers note that this parity — not enshrined in law but a tacit consensus — could disintegrate following the boycott of the election by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his Future Movement, the main Sunni political party in Beirut.

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The last municipal elections in Lebanon were held in 2016, and councils were elected for six years. The election has since been postponed three times, in 2022, 2023, and 2024. As a result, a significant number of municipal councils have resigned or are unable to effectively perform their duties due to a lack of financial and human resources.