French embassy: Municipal elections put 'Lebanon back on track with democratic life'

The French Embassy in Lebanon expressed satisfaction on Sunday with the "smooth conduct of the municipal elections" in the country, which took place throughout the month of May, deeming that these elections "put Lebanon back on track with democratic life."

The embassy praised the Lebanese government's determination to hold these long-awaited elections (the last ones dating back to 2016) on time and "the civic engagement of the voters." In their view, these elections have therefore put "Lebanon back on track with democratic life."

After being postponed since 2022, the Lebanese municipal elections were finally held every weekend in May across different regions of the country. Saturday, May 24, marked the conclusion of these elections, with voting in South Lebanon, whose results were published by the Interior Ministry for the districts of Sour, Marjayoun, Bint Jbeil, Jezzine, Hasbaya, Saida and Nabatieh.

President Joseph Aoun had already applauded the "success" of the municipal elections on Sunday and the efforts of various ministries, security forces, and all mobilized participants. On the Shiite tandem side, Hezbollah's Secretary-General Naim Qassem also expressed his satisfaction on Sunday evening regarding the broad victory of the Hezbollah-Amal alliance in southern Lebanon, paying tribute to the region's inhabitants during his televised speech delivered "for their pride and determination." This speech also marked the 25th anniversary of the day of Southern Lebanon's Liberation in 2000, after 15 years of Israeli occupation.

Although less decisive, municipal elections are an indicator of political opinion in the country. Both the results and related incidents suggest certain perspectives for the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for spring 2026.