| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Majlis Al-Nuwwab / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
7 June 2009 |
| Timing and scope of renewal |
Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members' term of office. |
On 5 January 2009, the Interior Ministry issued a decree calling parliamentary elections for 7 June.
The 2009 elections were the first to be held under a new electoral law approved by the National Assembly in September 2008. The law stipulates that elections are held on one day, instead of over three days in the past. Although the draft law proposed to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 years and introduce a 30-per-cent quota for women, neither provision was retained in the final law (see note). Similarly, the establishment of an independent electoral commission and the introduction of officially pre-printed ballot papers were rejected.
Shortly before the previous elections held in February 2005, former prime minister Rafik Hariri, who had been demanding that Syrian troops leave Lebanon, was assassinated. His murder triggered widespread popular demonstrations and international pressure on Syria, leading to the withdrawal of Syrian troops in April 2005, after a 29-year military presence. In the May-June 2005 elections, the Future Movement Coalition (Martyr Rafik Hariri list), headed by Mr. Saad Hariri, son of the slain former prime minister, won 72 of the 128 seats at stake. Hezbollah (known to be pro-Syrian and pro-Iranian) and its allies, including the Amal Movement, a pro-Syrian party led by Speaker Nabih Berry, came in second with 33 seats. The Free Patriotic Movement, backed by former army chief and interim prime minister Michel Aoun, won 21 seats.
Based on the Taif Agreement of 1989, the office of the Speaker is reserved for Shiite Muslims, while Maronite Christians and Sunni Muslims assume the posts of President and Prime Minister respectively. In late June, Mr. Berry was re-elected as Speaker. President Emile Lahoud appointed Mr. Fouad Siniora as Prime Minister, with the support of Mr. Hariri's coalition.
Mr. Siniora's government included members of Hezbollah for the first time in Lebanon's history. In July 2006, Hezbollah's military wing attacked Israel, triggering a war between the two countries, which claimed over 1,200 lives. Hezbollah, which claimed victory, reportedly gained support as the perceived "defender of Lebanon" among some citizens. Mr. Siniora's government collapsed in November when members of Hezbollah and Amal Movement resigned to protest the establishment of an International Tribunal to try Mr. Rafik Hariri's assassins. The Free Patriotic Movement joined Hezbollah and Amal Movement in street protests, demanding the right to veto government decisions. President Lahoud's term of office expired in November 2007 and Mr. Siniora became acting President. Due to the standoff between the government and the opposition, the presidential elections were postponed 19 times. In May 2008, both sides reached an agreement in Doha, Qatar, paving the way for the election of army chief Mr. Michel Suleiman as the new President. He was sworn in in late May. In July, Mr. Siniora formed a 30-member cabinet, which included 11 members of the opposition in keeping with the Doha agreement.
The 2009 elections saw a duel between the opposition "8 March Coalition" and the governing "14 March Coalition", named after a series of demonstrations that followed the assassination of former prime minister Hariri in 2005.
The 8 March Coalition included the pro-Syrian Hezbollah, Speaker Berry's Amal Movement, as well as General Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement. The 14 March Coalition was led by Mr. Saad Hariri, a pro-Western Sunni Muslim. It comprised the parties supporting Prime Minister Siniora, including Mr. Hariri's Future Movement, the Progressive Socialist Party, the Christian Lebanese Forces and the Christian Phalangist party.
Speaker Berry pledged to preserve the image and identity of Lebanon as well as its position in the world after the elections. He criticized Israel, arguing that it was trying to intimidate Lebanese voters into voting against the opposition. Hezbollah Secretary General, Mr. Hassan Nasrallah, called on voters' support for the opposition force in order to bring stability to the country. The US warned that it would reconsider its aid to Lebanon if the 8 March Coalition won the elections. General Aoun pledged to tackle corruption and establish a third republic.
The 14 March Coalition's manifesto focused on national unity. It pledged to establish a "fully sovereign State capable of making crucial decisions". Mr. Hariri called on all parties to set aside their disagreements and support national interests. The leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Mr. Walid Jumblatt, urged voters to live in harmony and do away with sectarian or political tensions.
On 7 June, 53.98 per cent of the 3.2 million registered voters turned out at the polls. Although some pre-election violence was reported, in general voting took place in relative peace.
The final results gave a surprise victory to the 14 March Coalition. It won 71 seats, 14 more than the opposition camp. Four women were elected.
The European Union's Election Observation Mission praised the participatory spirit of the Lebanese elections, while recommending further electoral reforms, including the use of pre-printed ballot papers. The Carter Center's observation mission applauded the democratic progress seen. It nevertheless noted various shortcomings and recommended that the electoral system be made more representative.
On 20 June, the newly elected National Assembly held its first session. On 25 June, it re-elected Mr. Berry (Amal Movement) as its Speaker. On 27 June, President Suleiman designated Mr. Saad Hariri as Prime Minister. Protracted negotiations over the formation of a unity government took place. Finally, on 10 November, Mr. Hariri announced a 30-member unity government. It comprised 15 members from his 14 March Coalition, 10 from the opposition (including two Hezbollah members) and five members appointed by the President. Mr. Hariri's government won the vote of confidence on 10 December with 122 votes, although many members of the 14 March Coalition raised concern over the inclusion of a clause affirming Hezbollah's right to bear arms in the new government's policy statement.
Note:
In March 2009, the National Assembly voted to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 but rejected a proposal to introduce a quota for women in parliament. The new voting age will apply to elections taking place after 2010. |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 7 June 2009 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
3'258'573
1'758'901 (53.98%)
21'113
1'737'788 |
|
Notes
|
|
| Distribution of votes |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political group |
Candidates |
Votes |
|
|
% of votes |
|
|
| 14 March Coalition |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 March Coalition |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Total of seats
|
|
|
|
|
| 14 March Coalition |
71
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 March Coalition |
57
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
124
4
3.13%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
21 to 30 years
31 to 40 years
41 to 50 years
51 to 60 years
61 to 70 years
Over 70 years
|
3
9
19
49
32
16
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
Education profession
Legal profession
Physician, dentist
Architect, surveyor, engineer
Finance, management or business
Journalism, broadcasting, media
Military/police officers
|
39
28
20
16
14
6
5
|
| Comments |
| Source: National Assembly (16.06.2009, 18.06.2009, 15.02.2010) |
|
