"Future Movement" Gears Up for Comeback in 2026 Parliamentary Elections

No roadmap yet, but direction set

By Carole Salloum (originally in Arabic) | English version prepared by Akhbar al-Yawm

Lebanon’s Future Movement appears poised for a political return, with party figure Bahia Hariri announcing plans to contest the 2026 parliamentary elections, marking a potential end to the group’s political hiatus.

Hariri said during voting in her hometown of Sidon: “We are coming back as the Future Movement”, a statement widely seen as a turning point for the once-dominant Sunni party.

The Future Movement, led by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri until he suspended political activity in 2022, did not officially participate in this year’s local elections. However, it lent quiet support to candidates in several areas, and voter turnout suggested the party’s influence remains intact in key constituencies.

Political sources told the "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency that the announcement is expected to prompt renewed dialogue across party lines, as groups assess the implications for future alliances. Hariri emphasized that the party holds no hostilities, only political disagreements, opening the door to potential cooperation.

While no concrete strategy has been disclosed, sources said the Future Movement has begun internal discussions aimed at reorganizing its ranks and evaluating its operational capacity. The next phase will involve identifying allies, assigning roles, and gauging the party’s support base.

"There’s no finalized plan yet, but the direction is clear", the sources said. "The groundwork is being laid, and lines of communication, old and new, are being activated".

The sources pointed out that Saad Hariri’s possible involvement in leading the campaign could reinvigorate the party’s base, many of whom remained loyal despite his withdrawal from the political scene.

The extent of the party’s ambition remains unclear, whether it seeks to restore its previous parliamentary clout or simply re-establish a presence in the next legislature. 

Lebanon is set to hold parliamentary elections in 2026 amid ongoing political and economic turmoil, with several major parties recalibrating ahead of what could be a pivotal vote.