First elections in Lebanon after explosion disaster begins
Created: 05/15/2022Updated: 05/15/2022 06:43
The first election since the explosion in the port of Beirut: the crisis-ridden Lebanon votes.
© Bilal Hussein/AP/dpa
In Lebanon, the first parliamentary elections after the explosion disaster in the port of the capital Beirut began on Sunday morning.
Beirut - In view of the severe economic and financial crisis, many younger voters in particular are hoping for a victory for candidates critical of the government.
Almost four million people are called upon to determine the 128 members of the House of Representatives.
The first preliminary results could be available on Sunday evening.
Worst economic and financial crisis in history
The country on the Mediterranean has been suffering from the worst economic and financial crisis in its history for more than two years.
According to the UN, around three quarters of the population now lives below the poverty line.
In everyday life, people struggle with insufficient supplies.
Many households only have electricity for a few hours a day.
Recently, concerns grew that the war in Ukraine could lead to a severe bread crisis.
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The chances of a major change are considered slim because of the electoral system.
Many observers expect that the Shiite Hezbollah, which is allied with Iran, will be able to consolidate its strong position.
It is unclear what effect the resignation of the most important Sunni politician to date, Saad al-Hariri, will have.
The ex-Prime Minister surprisingly announced in January that he would not run for office.
Opposition candidates emerge from mass demonstrations
The number of opposition candidates is larger than in previous elections.
Many emerge from the mass demonstrations against the political leadership that erupted in 2019.
Lebanon's political system is characterized by a fragile balance of denominations.
The head of state is always a Christian, the head of government a Sunni and the speaker of the parliament a Shia.
Critics say the most important decisions are made by leaders outside of parliament.
More than 190 people died in the explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020.
Around 6000 people were injured.
dpa
