A voter casts his ballot in the mixed village of Kfarmatta (Aley), May 15, 2016. (Credit: L'Orient-Le Jour)
In recent weeks, all eyes have been on the Beirut municipality, where intense political efforts are underway to preserve the Muslim-Christian parity within the municipal council. But sectarian representation is also a major issue in the municipal elections in several other “mixed” areas. For example, ahead of the first round of voting scheduled for Sunday in Mount Lebanon, sectarian representation appears to be a real point of contention in some predominantly Shiite villages in the Jbeil district, amid growing political polarization around Hezbollah.In contrast, Lebanese-style customs and amicable agreements, linked with political and partisan efforts, have helped defuse this issue in several other towns. “The Shiite duo [Hezbollah and Amal] are showing political foolishness. Instead of reaching electoral agreements with their partners,...
In recent weeks, all eyes have been on the Beirut municipality, where intense political efforts are underway to preserve the Muslim-Christian parity within the municipal council. But sectarian representation is also a major issue in the municipal elections in several other “mixed” areas. For example, ahead of the first round of voting scheduled for Sunday in Mount Lebanon, sectarian representation appears to be a real point of contention in some predominantly Shiite villages in the Jbeil district, amid growing political polarization around Hezbollah.In contrast, Lebanese-style customs and amicable agreements, linked with political and partisan efforts, have helped defuse this issue in several other towns. “The Shiite duo [Hezbollah and Amal] are showing political foolishness. Instead of reaching electoral agreements with their...
