The U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shea, warned that Lebanon’s upcoming 2022 elections must be held on time.
Her statement comes as concerns are emerging around Lebanese political parties seeking to postpone the elections that could see them lose some power in the legislature.
Last week, the United Nations Security Council “underlined the importance of holding free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections, as scheduled on 15 May 2022.”
The Maronite Patriarch, Bechara al-Rahi, had also previously warned against postponing the parliamentary elections, based on information he had received concerning intentions to postpone, and called for the Lebanese people’s right for a change.
The Lebanese people are eagerly anticipating this year’s elections to bring changes to the ruling body that has caused multiple crises, including the ongoing hyperinflation, and failed to tackle them, leaving the country to its freefall.
It will be the first election after the nationwide protests of the Lebanese Revolution that kicked off in October 2019 against the political class.
Most major political parties and government officials have confirmed that they are committed to holding the elections in May.
However, many Lebanese are scared that the elections could be postponed by pressure from those wanting to remain in power and those fearing to lose some power in the legislature.
The parliamentary elections were initially set to take place in March of 2022, but President Michel Aoun did not accept the date.
