A woman votes at a polling station in Zahle, May 18, 2025. (Credit: Renee Davis/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Although voter turnout in Beirut, the Bekaa and Baalbeck-Hermel was relatively low in the third round of voting in the municipal elections (21 percent in the capital and 45 percent in the rest of the districts concerned), the abstention rate in the predominantly Shiite villages caught the observers’ attention. All the more so as Hezbollah is generally known for its ability to mobilize an unprecedented number of voters in such elections, and is equipped with a perfectly oiled electoral machine. Could this drop in Shiite turnout be the first pointer to Hezbollah’s popularity decline after the latest war with Israel has weakened it? Read more Berri: Beirut municipal elections prove Amal-Hezbollah alliance is 'national, not Shiite' A 48.6 percent turnout, compared with 62 percent nine years ago, was registered in the Baalbeck district....
Although voter turnout in Beirut, the Bekaa and Baalbeck-Hermel was relatively low in the third round of voting in the municipal elections (21 percent in the capital and 45 percent in the rest of the districts concerned), the abstention rate in the predominantly Shiite villages caught the observers’ attention. All the more so as Hezbollah is generally known for its ability to mobilize an unprecedented number of voters in such elections, and is equipped with a perfectly oiled electoral machine. Could this drop in Shiite turnout be the first pointer to Hezbollah’s popularity decline after the latest war with Israel has weakened it? Read more Berri: Beirut municipal elections prove Amal-Hezbollah alliance is 'national, not Shiite' A 48.6 percent turnout, compared with 62 percent nine years ago, was registered in the Baalbeck...
