Challenges in Lebanon’s government formation: Disputes over sectarian control and ministerial seats remain unresolved

Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Mariella Succar

In his third visit following his appointment, Prime Minister-designate did not present a completed government lineup. Baabda awaited the results of Nawaf Salam’s latest consultations with parliamentary blocs.

Sources following the matter suggest that most of the ministerial candidates are ready, but the issue of distributing the five Shiite seats remains unresolved. 

It is unclear whether all five will go to the Amal-Hezbollah duo or if the fifth seat will be taken from their share, given the rejection of the principle of sectarian monopoly over any particular ministry—a point Salam had previously emphasized in his prior visit to Baabda.

The Shiite bloc’s control over the ministries prompted MP MP Walid Baarini to call for federalism, citing the marginalization of Sunni MPs from Tripoli, Akkar, Minieh - Danniyeh, and Beirut, in contrast to the influence of the Shiite bloc. Notably, Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh have not been represented.

However, a meeting on Tuesday evening between Salam and MPs from the Moderate Bloc concluded positively, according to Baarini, with an agreement on the representation of northern Lebanon through a Sunni services ministry.

Regarding Christian representation, reports suggesting that the Lebanese Forces would not participate in the government due to double standards were denied by their sources to LBCI. 

The sources clarified that negotiations with the Prime Minister-designate are still ongoing. They emphasized that the Lebanese Forces are committed to the government's interest and would not oppose granting the Ministry of Finance to the Shiite sect for one term, provided that the principle of rotation is enshrined in the ministerial statement.

Meanwhile, sources from the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) stated that reports claiming the party is demanding five ministries are a distortion of their position. 

They clarified that the FPM is not fixated on specific ministries or numbers, but rather on the principle of unified criteria. 

The FPM reiterated that the six MPs who left the FPM bloc won their seats as part of the FPM’s electoral list, and their votes remain the property of the FPM, without precluding flexibility with the Prime Minister-designate.

Regardless of the challenges and proposed solutions, the Prime Minister-designate remains open to discussions, willing to hear the views of all parties on names and portfolios. 

Ultimately, however, the final decision on the formation will rest with the Prime Minister-designate in consultation with the President.