Daoud Rammal, “Akhbar al-Yawm” agency

Lebanese Government Faces Critical Challenges: Appointments, Reforms, and Upcoming Elections

Source to "Akhbar Al-Yawm": Appointments are an urgent matter, away from political quotas

After having secured a comfortable majority of confidence in Parliament, the Lebanese government now faces a series of pressing entitlements that cannot be postponed. These challenges begin with filling the vacancies in key military, security, judicial, and administrative leadership positions, a necessity to ensure the continuity of institutional operations, particularly given Lebanon’s fragile security and political climate.

A high-ranking political source told “Akhbar Al-Yawm” agency that the appointment of new leaders should be determined not by political quotas but by competence, in order to secure the restructuring of the State on sound foundations capable of meeting current challenges.

The source further stated: "Moreover, the reform agenda that Lebanon has pledged to the international community remains a key prerequisite for securing the necessary financial assistance to rescue the economy. This calls for effective cooperation with Parliament to pass reform laws, especially concerning the restructuring of the banking sector, controlling public spending, and enhancing transparency in the management of public funds. Without these measures, Lebanon will remain unable to restore the trust of both the international community and its creditors”.

Furthermore, the source explained that “reconstructing the damage wrought by the recent Israeli war is a top priority. This task requires the development of a comprehensive programmatic plan that includes financing mechanisms and oversight of implementation, ensuring that the failures which have plagued previous reconstruction projects are not repeated. Such efforts must be accompanied by sustained diplomatic pressure on all fronts to compel Israel to withdraw from the territories and the five key areas it occupies, as true stability in Lebanon cannot be achieved without the complete restoration of its sovereignty”.

The source affirmed that “in the context of restoring Lebanon’s regional and international role, the government must revitalize its relations with Arab and international partners, particularly with the Gulf States. These countries play a crucial role in supporting Lebanon politically and economically, whether through backing in international organizations, investments, or tourism. Without strengthening these relationships, Lebanon will remain isolated within its Arab neighborhood and unable to attract the necessary support to overcome its crisis”.

The source also pointed out that "financially, the crisis continues to deepen due to the lack of a clear plan to address depositors' funds and the persistent economic deterioration. Thus, it is imperative to improve the purchasing power of Lebanese citizens by establishing a flexible wage scale that aligns with inflation, thereby avoiding further social collapse”.

Moreover, as part of revitalizing productive sectors, it is essential to prepare thoroughly for this year’s tourism and vacation season, especially with expectations of a significant return of Arab visitors. This preparation requires ensuring security stability and launching promotional campaigns to restore confidence in Lebanon as a major tourist destination in the region.

Regarding the two most prominent entitlements, the source identified them as holding the long-postponed municipal and by-elections in May, and preparing for the parliamentary elections in about a year. Completing these two processes on schedule will serve as a critical test of the State’s credibility and its commitment to the democratic process, an issue that is non-negotiable.

Ultimately, the government faces existential challenges that demand a serious approach and genuine will for reform, beyond narrow calculations. Failure to address these imperatives will expose the country to even more dangerous scenarios, particularly given the fragile State of its political, security, and economic conditions.