The Dynamics of Political Representation of the Lebanese Sunni Community and Saad Hariri Quitting Politics
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Saad Hariri, the leader of the biggest Sunni political party in Lebanon, will not run for office in the parliamentary election scheduled for May 2022. This article seeks to analyze potential reasons and possible consequences of this decision. A likely explanation for the move might be a combination of factors such as a series of setbacks in Saad Haririʼs confrontation with Hezbollah, socio-political marginalization of predominantly Sunni regions of Lebanon, Haririʼs financial difficulties and his loss of Saudi backing. All these factors have contributed to Saad Haririʼs political weakening. Since there is no Sunni politician in the country with a base of support comparable to that of Hariri, fragmentation of political representation of the Lebanese Sunnis as well as growth of the block of Sunni MPs close to Hezbollah appear to be the most likely outcome of the upcoming election.
Source: Oriental Courier
Author: Maxim Zhabko
Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4378082566