Lebanon’s Extended Parliament: Crisis Management or Democratic Erosion

By Farishta Maqbool

Lebanon postponed the election for three years in the name of war, calling it a democratic step. However, a six-month period would have been sufficient in such a case. Misusing democracy for personal political interests is not something that can be ignored.

On March 9th, the Lebanese parliament voted to extend its term by three years, postponing the elections originally scheduled for 2026 until 2028. According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the extension was approved with 76 votes in favor, 41 against, and 4 abstentions. Most Christian parties opposed this decision, arguing that it goes against democratic values. However, considering the current war situation and the country’s economic conditions, many believe that it is not feasible for Lebanon to hold elections at this time.

Additionally, on March 13th, Israeli forces crossed the Litani River with armored vehicles and targeted three locations: Deir Zahrani, Zawtar, and Tyre. The Israeli military struck a bridge across the Litani River in the Zrariyah area, which it claimed served as a “key crossing” for Hezbollah. Critics contend that under these circumstances, a period of six months to 1 year would be sufficient, but extending the parliamentary term by three years is entirely inconsistent with democratic principles.

This is not the first time Lebanon has taken such action; Lebanon has a history of inconsistent democracy.

During the Civil War in Lebanon, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, no elections were held for 15 years. After the war, Syrian troops remained in the country for an additional 15 years. Although elections were eventually conducted, they were not free; Syria effectively determined the outcomes. The parliament’s term was extended whenever it suited Damascus.

Then, between 2013 and 2014, Parliament was extended for 17 months. According to Al Jazeera, the extension was approved due to “the security situation in several Lebanese regions that gives rise to political escalation and division”. The main reason given for this extension was security; however, critics argued that Hezbollah did not want elections while its forces were engaged in fighting along the borders. This was not the first time Lebanon had taken such actions, but delaying elections for such an extended period was unprecedented.

There are two main reasons cited behind the 2028 delays. The first reason is that conducting elections during an ongoing war is dangerous. People cannot go to polling stations to vote when their lives are in danger. This is the reason presented by the Parliament. However, there is also a second reason presented by critics: Hezbollah needs time to come back stronger. A poll conducted by the Council for a Secure America found that 59% of Lebanese residents said Hezbollah’s military presence has a negative impact on the country’s security.

Keeping the war situation in mind, it is a good step to delay elections, as most people would not be able to vote, and the result would lack legitimacy. But a three-year gap is too long. As an independent parliamentarian, Firas Hamdan argued, organizing elections would require at least nine or ten months of preparation even in the unlikely event that security conditions stabilized soon. Moving forward, there was no accountability for wartime decisions: who decided to go to war, and who failed to protect the South? Voters should also judge those leaders before voting for them. Also, in a real democracy, only voters can give parliament more time. Self-extension is a dictatorship trick.

The government delayed elections for three years, while Christians argue there should be no delay at all in this case. Some analysts also argue that the government should have chosen a middle path. As the war is ongoing, conducting elections is not possible, but the delay period should not exceed one year.

Lebanon has chosen stability over democracy, but a fake kind of stability. The parliament stays. The government works on reforms. The war continues in the south. And the next election is now three years away.

Nawaf Salam might fix the banks. He might even unlock international loans. But without a fresh election, every reform is fragile. A future parliament could undo everything.

The Lebanese people have survived civil war, foreign occupation, economic collapse, and now a new war in the south. But a parliament that fears its own people will eventually find that its people have stopped believing in it.