Journalist Mohammad Barakat delivering a speech at an event organized by the Shiite opposition movement Nahwa al-Inkaz, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Credit: DR)
As the parliamentary elections draw closer, the political machinery is beginning to move, despite lingering uncertainty. This is particularly true for the Shiite opposition, which this year is hoping for a breakthrough, betting on Hezbollah’s weakening and a possible — or at least hoped-for — shift within the community’s grassroots. In fact, securing the election of at least one Shiite opposition figure has become one of the vote’s key challenges.Within Nahwa al-Inqaz (Towards Salvation), a movement of independent Shiite figures formed just a year ago, four potential candidates for the elections — scheduled for May — are beginning to emerge. They include journalist Mohammad Barakat, who is considering a run in South Lebanon III (Nabatieh – Bint Jbeil – Marjayoun – Hasbaya), physician Hadi Mrad in Baabda, Ali Khalifeh in Jbeil, and...
As the parliamentary elections draw closer, the political machinery is beginning to move, despite lingering uncertainty. This is particularly true for the Shiite opposition, which this year is hoping for a breakthrough, betting on Hezbollah’s weakening and a possible — or at least hoped-for — shift within the community’s grassroots. In fact, securing the election of at least one Shiite opposition figure has become one of the vote’s key challenges.Within Nahwa al-Inqaz (Towards Salvation), a movement of independent Shiite figures formed just a year ago, four potential candidates for the elections — scheduled for May — are beginning to emerge. They include journalist Mohammad Barakat, who is considering a run in South Lebanon III (Nabatieh – Bint Jbeil – Marjayoun – Hasbaya), physician Hadi Mrad in Baabda, Ali Khalifeh...
