Parliamentary elections in Lebanon: “The situation urgently needs to improve”

Hardly any work, seldom electricity, everything expensive – many Lebanese have long since lost confidence in politics. The desire for change drives them to the polls to vote on a new parliament.

There is a dense crowd in front of a school in downtown Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. Here is the election today. People have been queuing up to cast their votes since early morning. Numerous military vehicles have pulled up all over the city – the Lebanese army is on alert.

It is the first election in Lebanon since the devastating explosion at the port of Beirut a year and a half ago and the resulting unrest. Many Lebanese have completely lost confidence in politics.

“I have already voted because I want to replace the entire government,” says Khodr, who has just come from the ballot box. “The situation in Lebanon urgently needs to improve, people need to find work again, we want to be able to afford food again. Everything has become so expensive and there is no electricity. I hope things improve.”

Worst economic crisis in history

The Mediterranean country is suffering from the worst economic and financial crisis in its history. The currency has lost more than 90 percent of its value and prices have exploded. Food alone has become more expensive by more than 600 percent. Many people can hardly afford the basic necessities.

According to the United Nations, three quarters of the people in Lebanon live below the poverty line. In addition, there are regular power cuts, public electricity is only available for about two hours a day.

Young candidates on the electoral lists

In addition to the established parties, there are also numerous young new candidates on the election lists this time who want to punish the country’s political elite for their collective failure. The desire for change drives many Lebanese to the ballot box.

Mahmoud has already voted: “I hope the election will be successful and I hope everyone votes and nobody stays at home. We have to look ahead now and not stay where we are,” he says. “This is only the second time in my life that I have gone to the polls.”

System makes real change difficult

Nevertheless, the chances of major change in Lebanon are considered slim because of the electoral system. The political system is determined by a fragile balance of denominations. Many observers expect that the Shiite Hezbollah, which is allied with Iran, will be able to consolidate its strong position in this election.

Bought thousands of votes?

And according to observers, corruption is a big problem. In this election, too, there is a fear that thousands of votes could have been bought. Voters receive gifts of money or vouchers for shopping and gas if they vote for one or the other candidate.

This is how the favor of the voters is bought, criticizes Maguy Nendejian. She is running for parliament for the first time – and does not want to go along with this system. “It works like this: You go to a candidate and say I want to vote for you, but I’m poor,” she says. “The candidate says: No problem, here’s $200 – and you vote for me. You tell your friends and they tell their friends – and everyone comes and gets money. That’s how votes are bought and the candidate gets into parliament .”

Late voices are sold dearly

Observers confirm that there is a rule of thumb for election day: Whoever votes early in the morning is about the vote. Those who vote in the evening are concerned with the price. The Lebanese say that the sums paid for a vote will be adjusted later in the day.

That cannot be checked. The EU sent election observers to Lebanon. Above all, everyone is hoping for one thing: that peace will remain on this election day in Lebanon.