The Speaker of Parliament and leader of the Amal Movement, Nabih Berri, speaking at a religious event in Ain al-Tineh. (Photo taken from the Parliament's Flickr account)
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said that the recent municipal elections in Beirut, held on Sunday, demonstrated that the Amal-Hezbollah coalition, allied with various political parties, represented a "national" rather than a "Shiite" unity.
Despite significant political differences with parties like the Lebanese Forces, the Hezbollah-Amal alliance was part of a broad coalition comprising the majority of the country's political parties. The coalition, named "Beirut Unites Us," aimed to form a list ensuring the election of 12 Christians and 12 Muslims to Beirut's municipal council, following a tradition of the last 30 years. This list appeared to have emerged as the leading one in the capital.
But the list called "Beirut Loves You," which was supported by MP Nabil Badr, of Jamaa Islamiya – and the Future Movement – was able to elect at least one of its members, Mahmoud al-Jamal, to the municipal council. This breakthrough shook the political and sectarian balance within the council. The general won his seat at the expense of Elie Andrea, the outgoing vice-president of the municipal council, known to be close to the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut, Elias Audi. The Islamic-Christian parity, dear to the Christian camp, was no longer in place for the first time since 1998, since 13 of the elected municipal councillors are Muslims (9 Sunnis, 3 Shiites and one Druze), against 11 Christians.
"We fulfilled our duty in Beirut's municipal elections and ensured a balance to the extent that we should no longer be called a Shiite duo, but a national duo," Berri stated in an interview with al-Modon, published on Tuesday.
What about the legislative elections?
Berri noted that the dynamics will change in the upcoming 2026 legislative elections. "In Beirut, we brought together opposing groups, but in the legislative elections, the scene will be different, and they will inevitably be separated," he said, referencing the temporary alliance with the Lebanese Forces. "The Bekaa speaks for itself, as all the villages have expressed their support for the national tandem." On Monday evening, the Interior Ministry released the results of the municipal elections in Hermel, following those of Rashaya and Western Bekaa.
Regarding the final round of municipal elections in South Lebanon scheduled for Saturday, Berri said that "eyes remain on Israel, fearing it may act foolishly," referencing ongoing Israeli attacks despite the cease-fire agreed on Nov. 27. "We will participate in the elections in the South regardless of what happens and at any cost," he stated. "The atmosphere will be mainly consensual; we have worked towards achieving this."
Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar confirmed to L'Orient-Le Jour that he has "engaged with countries guaranteeing the cease-fire to ensure the elections proceed normally" in the South.