Of all the gridlocks affecting the Lebanese political system, the one affecting the presidential election is the most serious. For two years, no parliamentary session aimed at choosing a successor to outgoing President Michel Sleiman could be held. While the Lebanese Constitution stipulates that electing a president is a priority and holding Chamber’s meetings without delay to elect the head of state is an imperative, several sessions have passed by without the quorum being met. So far, it seemed as if a higher blocking force was impeding the course of the presidential polls prior to reaching agreement on a consensus candidate, in which case, the election would have constituted a mere formality, as a pre-approved president would have been chosen before MPs cast their ballots.
Policy papers #2 – Elections in Lebanon