The Lebanese Parliament meets Thursday to choose a new President of the Republic

The Lebanese Parliament will meet on Thursday to choose a new president of the republic, more than two years after the position became vacant, but the election process is not inevitable, according to analysts.

The name of Army Commander Joseph Aoun stands out as the most likely candidate so far. But in a country with multiple sects and parties, there is no clear majority in parliament, and the overall balance of power imposes a “consensus” that is difficult to reach to elect a president.

The new president will succeed Michel Aoun, who was also elected in 2016 after two and a half years of a presidential vacancy.

US Special Envoy Amos Hockstein called from Beirut on Monday for “political consensus” in light of “extremely important times for Lebanon.”

Immediately upon his arrival, the American envoy visited the Army Commander and stressed in his statements the importance of the Lebanese Army’s role in the next stage.

French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian is expected to arrive in Beirut on Tuesday evening. In the past, Le Drian made several mediations to complete the presidential election.

A number of politicians recently quoted American officials as supporting Aoun’s arrival.

The Lebanese Constitution does not require candidates for the presidency to submit an official nomination. There are several names being circulated for the presidency, including the head of the Lebanese Forces Party, Samir Geagea, and his opponent, the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, Gebran Bassil.

Other names circulating include the acting Director General of Public Security, Elias Al-Bisari, and the two representatives, Nemat Avram and Ibrahim Kanaan.

Aoun needs a constitutional amendment if he is elected to become president. The Constitution does not allow the election of first-class employees while they are in office and up to two years after their resignation or retirement.
Berri was recently quoted as refusing to make the amendment.

In the first round of elections, the candidate needs a two-thirds majority of votes, or 86 votes out of 128, to win. If a second round is held, the required majority is an absolute majority, i.e. 65 votes.
If Aoun is elected on Thursday, he will be the fifth army commander in Lebanon to reach the presidency and the fourth in a row.