Prospects For Reform by Alternative Lebanese Parliamentarians

Abstract

Lebanon adopts the consociational model, which necessitates a power-sharing arrangement between divergent political groups within the country’s legislative and executive Lebanon adopts the consociational model, which necessitates a power-sharing arrangement between divergent political groups within the country’s legislative and executive branches across confessional lines. However, for the first time in Lebanon’s history, twelve non-confessional candidates won seats in the 2022 elections. This was primarily due to the 2019 uprising, in which a large segment of Lebanese citizens protested their agonizing issues and reconsidered their political choices. From this notion, this thesis reexamines the confessional power-sharing system by exploring means to victory by independent candidates, such as the urgency for change and reforms. Yet, whether their victory will expedite reform efforts and open the prospects of collaboration between confessional and independent representatives is the central issue that this study aims to unravel. The thesis examines the impact of the crisis on the 2022 electoral results, along with campaign promises made by reform-minded candidates, while, at the same time, exploring the extent to which new reform-minded MPs can deliver meaningful change. These aspects are analyzed through a comparative discussion of Arab and non-Arab experiences with alternative and reform-minded political representatives. The comparative analysis sheds more lights about the prospects of independent parliamentarians acting on their reform promises. Additionally, Key Informant Interviews are conducted with independent parliamentarians in order to further develop the narrative of their path to success and draw conclusions about their reform aspirations and collaboration prospects. Finally, it concludes by drawing preliminary observations about the extent to which reform can be attained through collaboration within the consociational arrangement branches across confessional lines. However, for the first time in Lebanon’s history, twelve non-confessional candidates won in the 2022 elections. This was primarily due to the 2019 uprising, in which Lebanese citizens protested their agonizing issues and reconsidered their political representatives, who were unable to improve the country's situation. From this notion, this thesis reexamines the confessional power-sharing system by analyzing the victory of independent candidates. Moreover, this dissertation uncovers the reasons for their victory, such as the need for change in traditional leadership and the necessity for the implementation of reforms. Therefore, whether their victory will expedite reform efforts and open the prospects of collaboration between confessional and independent representatives is the central issue that this study aims to explore. For this reason, this thesis examines the impact of the crisis on the 2022 electoral results, along with campaign promises made by reform-minded candidates. In contrast, it remains to be seen whether the new reform-minded MPs can deliver meaningful change. These aspects are analyzed through a comparative discussion of Arab and non-Arab experiences with alternative and change-minded political representatives. This comparison leads to an analogy about the Lebanese case and the emergence of independents into parliament. Additionally, this study employs a qualitative methodology through one-on-one interviews with reformists in order to further develop a narrative of their path to success and draw conclusions about their reform expectations and collaboration prospects. Finally, it is concluded that their victory might not result in substantial changes, but through collaboration, limited reforms can be effectively implemented.