The Grand Serail of Beirut. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)
In the coming days, Cabinet is expected to appoint new diplomats and complete the review of candidates for key positions at the central bank. Yet, in light of the behind-the-scenes leaks and despite the new era inaugurated by the reformist duo — President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam— the old habit of dividing positions based on political quotas remains firmly in place. That is particularly true since Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri still insists on having his say.By installing candidates loyal to them, some parties may be seeking, according to observers, to gain leverage across multiple branches of the administration, potentially to block or even distort the enforcement of laws and regulations meant to trigger reforms.The ongoing power gameThe first indications of this practice surfaced with the appointment of a new...
In the coming days, Cabinet is expected to appoint new diplomats and complete the review of candidates for key positions at the central bank. Yet, in light of the behind-the-scenes leaks and despite the new era inaugurated by the reformist duo — President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam— the old habit of dividing positions based on political quotas remains firmly in place. That is particularly true since Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri still insists on having his say.By installing candidates loyal to them, some parties may be seeking, according to observers, to gain leverage across multiple branches of the administration, potentially to block or even distort the enforcement of laws and regulations meant to trigger reforms.The ongoing power gameThe first indications of this practice surfaced with the appointment of a new...