Lebanese opposition makes surprise gains in parliamentary elections

LEBA ESE opposition groups made some unexpected gains in parliamentary elections in crisis-ridden Lebanon, against major political groups they blame for plunging Lebanon into its worst-ever economic crisis, according to preliminary unof cial results on Monday.

The early results from Sunday’s elections also showed that the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement has lost major allies in Mount Lebanon and south and north Lebanon, to members of some opposition groups, which could lead the movement to lose its majority in the 12 -member parliament.

According to the preliminary results quoted by Lebanese media, the opposition managed to snatch around 10 seats. In the 201 elections Hezbollah and its allies, among them the Christian Free Patriotic Movement, won a majority of 71 seats in parliament.

Many of the opposition candidates emerged from mass, anti-government protests that erupted in 2019. They were directed, among other things, against widespread corruption in Lebanon.

Many people blame the established parties, which have been in power for decades, for the country’s severe crisis.

Gains were also reported by Hezbollah’s staunch critics, the Christian Lebanese Forces, who said that they are now the largest Christian bloc in parliament, with more than 20 seats. Such a gain dealt a blow to Hezbollah ally the Free Patriotic Movement, who lost their title as being the largest Christian bloc in parliament. In 201 the group, led by the son-in-law of President Michel Aoun, had 1 seats. ow they are at 1 .

For more than two years, Lebanon has been suffering from the worst economic and

nancial crisis in its history.