Lebanon’s Parliament elected army commander Joseph Aoun as the country’s new president on Jan. 9, ending a more than two-year leadership vacuum and potentially paving the way for much-needed reforms and international assistance.
Lebanon is currently grappling with a severe economic crisis and seeks to rebuild following a recent cease-fire between Israel and the Hezbollah terrorist group.
Aoun, who is not related to the former president, secured the presidency after a second round of voting. The session was the Legislature’s 13th attempt to elect a successor to Michel Aoun, whose term ended in October 2022.
The new president’s election was made possible after Suleiman Frangieh, previously backed by Hezbollah, withdrew his candidacy and endorsed Aoun on Jan. 8. This move cleared the path for Aoun, who was widely seen as the preferred candidate of both the United States and Saudi Arabia.
The Hezbollah terrorist organization is an Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite group that participates in Lebanese politics while maintaining a significant military presence.
Aoun’s election comes at a critical time for Lebanon, which is in its sixth year of a financial crisis that has severely devalued the national currency and eroded citizens’ savings. The country also faces significant challenges in implementing the recent cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah and securing funds for reconstruction.
Randa Slim, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, noted that Aoun’s international backing could be advantageous.
“The fact that [Aoun] has the backing of Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and the Europeans give him a big boost in terms of being able to get things done,” Slim said, noting that Aoun will need to navigate the complex domestic political landscape, including relations with Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s unique power-sharing system, designed to balance the country’s diverse religious communities, has often led to political deadlocks.
The president is always a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is always a Sunni Muslim, and the parliamentary speaker is always a Shiite Muslim.
The president appoints a prime minister based on consultations with lawmakers.
Aoun’s election is notable as he becomes the fifth former army commander to assume the presidency, despite constitutional restrictions on high-ranking public servants taking office.
His ascension required a special two-thirds majority in parliamentary voting because of these constitutional considerations. In the first round, Aoun fell short of the required two-thirds majority, receiving 71 out of 128 votes. The second round saw him secure 99 votes, surpassing the necessary threshold.
Aoun, 60, had served as army chief since 2017, maintaining a low profile throughout his tenure and during the election process.
His election marks a potential turning point for Lebanon, offering hope for stability and progress after years of political deadlock and economic turmoil.
