Lebanon Elects Army Chief Joseph Aoun as New President Amid Controversies
The Parliament of Lebanon has elected Army Chief Joseph Aoun as the new president of the country in a significant vote held this Thursday. This election comes after more than two years of vacancy in the presidential position, following the end of Michel Aoun's mandate in October 2022. The election has not been without contention, as allegations arise regarding a possible constitutional violation since the newly elected official is still in charge of the Armed Forces.
Joseph Aoun's election was completed in the second voting round after an initial round failed to secure a majority. In the first round, the vote tally showed 71 in favor, 37 blank, fourteen for sovereignty and the Constitution, two for Chebli Malat, who later withdrew his candidacy, along with four null votes, according to the newspaper L'Orient-Le Jour. Following a two-hour break called by Parliament President Nabih Berri for further consultations among members, Aoun emerged victorious in the second round, capturing 99 votes out of a possible 128 — significantly surpassing the 86 votes required for his election.
The results from this session revealed that nine parliamentarians voted blank, twelve supported sovereignty and the Constitution, two still backed Malat, and five votes were invalid. The election paves the way for Aoun to become the fourteenth president of Lebanon, marking a notable political shift as he has no familial connections to his predecessor.
Aoun, 60, was widely regarded as the frontrunner for this presidential role, especially after the candidate backed by the Hezbollah militia party, Suleiman Frangie from the Free Patriotic Movement (MPL), withdrew and publicly endorsed Aoun. This endorsement was aimed at resolving the severe political crisis currently gripping the nation.
Nevertheless, the political atmosphere remains fraught. Many parliamentarians expressed strong criticism during the session, pointing out that Aoun's election raises serious constitutional concerns. These representatives voiced that the current framework might require amendments to allow Aoun to assume office, as existing laws prevent the election of individuals who have held significant positions of responsibility within the previous two years.
As Lebanon stands at this critical juncture, the implications of Aoun's presidency alongside ongoing political discord present a complex landscape for the future governance of the nation.
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