Lebanon: Citizens go to the polls for parliamentary elections amid historic crisis

Lebanese citizens are going to the polls today for the parliamentary elections in the country, in which the opposition is confronted with the existing political class, which it blames for the historical crisis facing the nation.

The polls opened at 07:00 local time (Greek time) in 15 constituencies.

About 4 million people have the right to vote in the first elections in the country after the catastrophic explosion in the port of Beirut in 2020.

These elections are also taking place after mass protests across Lebanon in 2019 over anger over deteriorating living conditions and a corrupt ruling elite.

The economic crisis facing Lebanon is one of the worst the world has seen since the mid-1800s, according to the World Bank.

Food, medicine, water and fuel shortages are now widespread and power outages are frequent.

Poverty has risen dramatically over the past year and now affects about 74% of the population, according to a UN report. The Lebanese pound has lost 95% of its value.

For many in Lebanon, the most important issue is the fight against corruption, according to a poll conducted on behalf of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The poll also showed that many in Lebanon want a “new and clean political order”.

Voters have to choose between 718 candidates for the country’s 128-member parliament.

Many of the politicians who are the opposition candidates in these elections emerged from the protests of 2019.

The polls are expected to close at 19:00 (Greek time), although it is possible to close later if necessary.

The first, unofficial results are expected to be announced tonight, while the final ones are expected to be made public tomorrow, Monday.

In the previous elections in 2018, the Iranian-backed Shiite movement Hezbollah and its allies had won 71 of the 128 seats in parliament.