Lebanese MPs gathered at Nejmeh Square, April 24, 2025. (Credit: Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament)
“There will be no law guaranteeing Christian-Muslim parity within the Beirut municipal council unless the prerogatives are restored,” wrote MP Nabil Badr (Sunni\Beirut) on X. Badr summed up the prevailing mood of the Sunni community at Thursday’s plenary session in Parliament, which involved, among other things, a debate over amending the law governing municipal elections — particularly in Beirut.At a time when some MPs — especially Christians — were pushing for the adoption of closed lists in Beirut to ensure parity within the municipal council (12 Christian members and 12 Muslim members), the Sunni community scored a small victory: It managed to tie any such amendment to the condition of expanding the powers of the (Sunni) Beirut mayor at the expense of the governor (muhafez) (a Greek Orthodox official who currently holds full...
“There will be no law guaranteeing Christian-Muslim parity within the Beirut municipal council unless the prerogatives are restored,” wrote MP Nabil Badr (Sunni\Beirut) on X. Badr summed up the prevailing mood of the Sunni community at Thursday’s plenary session in Parliament, which involved, among other things, a debate over amending the law governing municipal elections — particularly in Beirut.At a time when some MPs — especially Christians — were pushing for the adoption of closed lists in Beirut to ensure parity within the municipal council (12 Christian members and 12 Muslim members), the Sunni community scored a small victory: It managed to tie any such amendment to the condition of expanding the powers of the (Sunni) Beirut mayor at the expense of the governor (muhafez) (a Greek Orthodox official who currently holds...