Naji Hayek, Vice President of the “Free Patriotic Movement,” stated that the movement has started preparing for the upcoming parliamentary elections some time ago, stressing that the movement is now “almost fully prepared for this entitlement after launching the electoral machines, appointing regional officials and communication officials, and working in parallel with the diaspora (expatriates).”
Hayek told “Al-Sharq Al-Awsat” that the names of the candidates have not been decided yet, “considering that there are circumstances governing the battle, and the matter is decided according to the identity of the rival candidates.” He revealed that the process of announcing the names of the movement’s candidates will begin at the beginning of next February in a number of regions, with the delay of some nominations in specific regions depending on the circumstances of the electoral battle.
Regarding alliances, Hayek stated: “We are open to alliances with all parties, and we call this process (completing the list), so that there are lists for the movement that we complete within the framework of what is called alliances, meaning we determine who has an interest in fighting the battle with us, provided that they have a similar interest in fighting it with us, without the alliance being political, but rather related to numbers exclusively.”
He pointed out that the most prominent issues that the election campaign will focus on, in addition to limiting weapons to the Lebanese state, are “that we remain an eye watching the government that has not been able to accomplish what was expected of it,” adding that reform and forensic audit are two main axes that the movement will continue to work on, stressing that what is currently happening in the Central Bank is in line with the path started by the movement.
This comes amid intensive party preparations on the political scene about four months before the date of the parliamentary elections, with most political forces emphasizing dealing with this entitlement on the basis that it will be held on its scheduled date, despite talk of a possible postponement due to the ambiguity surrounding the issue of expatriate voting.
In contrast, the Lebanese Kataeb Party confirms the continuation of its preparations for the elections. In this regard, MP Elias Hankash told “Al-Sharq Al-Awsat” that the work of the electoral machine is continuous, as well as field work with citizens, pointing to the start of forming party committees responsible for the upcoming elections, and dealing with this entitlement on the basis that it will take place on its scheduled date.
He added that the party’s political bureau, about six months ago, re-nominated the four current deputies, and a mechanism was adopted to name candidates in a number of regions, including Baabda, Koura, and the Western Bekaa, and these candidates have already started their work on the ground.
Regarding the electoral program, Hankash explained that “Kataeb” will contest the elections with a clear electoral program that is updated in each electoral stage and is implemented during the parliamentary term. Regarding alliances, he stressed that they are based on political understandings, noting that communication channels are open with most parties within the broad political team that the party works within, with continued consultations and meetings to reach an alliance formula.
