Lebanese Presidential Vacancy, Explained
Unless there is a sudden and major development in internal and external political positions before October 31st, Lebanon will have a presidential vacancy for the 4th time in its modern history.
As Lebanon has entered the constitutional period to elect a president , it’s important to go through the process of electing a president as well as previous presidential vacancies in Lebanon in order to build a vision of what to expect during the next months.
The President Of The Lebanese Republic
As amended by the Constitutional Law of October 17, 1927, May 8, 1929, January 21, 1947, and September 21, 1990:
The President of the Republic is the head of the state and the symbol of the nation's unity. He shall safeguard the constitution and Lebanon's independence, unity, and territorial integrity.
Lebanese Flag - The Catholic Church
The President shall preside over the Supreme Defense Council and be the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, which fall under the authority of the Council of Ministers.
The President of the Republic shall be elected by secret ballot and by a two-thirds majority of the Chamber of Deputies. After a first ballot, an absolute majority shall be sufficient.
The President's term is 6 years. He may not be re-elected until 6 years after the expiration of his last mandate.
No one may be elected to the Presidency of the Republic unless he fulfills the conditions of eligibility for the Chamber of Deputies.
It is also not possible to elect judges, Grade One civil servants, or their equivalents in all public institutions to the Presidency during their term or office or within 2 years following the date of their resignation and their effective cessation of service, or following retirement.
How Is The President Elected?
As amended by the Constitutional Law of October 17, 1927, May 22, 1948, and April 24, 1976:
One month at least and 2 months at most before the expiration of the term of office of the President of the Republic, the Chamber shall be convened by its president to elect the new President of the Republic. However, should it not be convened for this purpose, the Chamber shall meet automatically on the 10th day preceding the expiration of the President's term of office.
Should the Presidency become vacant through the death or resignation of the President or for any other cause, the Chamber shall meet immediately, and by virtue of the law, to elect a successor.
If either Chamber happens to be dissolved at the time the vacancy occurs, the electoral bodies shall be convened without delay and, as soon as the elections have taken place, the Chamber meets by virtue of the law.
The Chamber meeting to elect the President of the Republic shall be considered an electoral body and not a legislative assembly. It must proceed immediately, without discussion of any other act, to elect the Head of the State.
Therefore, and according to the Lebanese Constitution, there is nothing called “Presidential Vacancy”. The Chamber or the Cabinet shall immediately meet and elect the Head of the State.
Historic Presidential Vacancies In Lebanon
The most recent, and the most lengthy case of a Presidential vacancy were the 29 months following President Michel Suleiman’s end-of-term in May 2014 and President Michel Aoun ’s election as the 13th President in October 2016.
President Michel Suleiman
President Michel Aoun
This period “coincided” with the war in neighboring Syria, which spilled over into Lebanese territory most notably in the clashes of Arsal in August 2014, and which the country had to face without a Head of State.
Arsal - AP
During this vacancy, the then-cabinet presided over by prime minister Tammam Salam assumed the responsibilities of the President, for a period of 890 days.
Lebanese cabinet presided by Tammam Salam - Naharnet
Preceding that, and prior to President Michel Suleiman’s election in May 2008 as the 12th President, the chair was vacant. but this time for 189 days. The cabinet presided then by PM Fouad Sanioura assumed the responsibilities of the president.
This vacancy was caused by a political deadlock that was resolved on 21 May 2008 in what became known as the Doha Agreement. Here, international mediation was required to solve a constitutional crisis in internal affairs caused by political deadlock amongst incompetent politicians.
Doha agreement - Moulahazat
The Doha Agreement was reached by rival Lebanese parties on 21 May 2008 in Doha, Qatar to end an 18-month-long political deadlock.