Lebanese Parliament Fails to Elect New President

Lebanon's parliament convened for a presidential election after a two-year vacancy following Michel Aoun's departure in October 2022. The first round of voting failed to secure a two-thirds majority for any candidate, with army commander Joseph Aoun leading with 71 votes but falling short of the required 86. Tensions erupted during the session, reflecting deep political divisions, while some lawmakers voiced concerns over external influence in the election process. Joseph Aoun is seen as favored by both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, especially after rival candidate Suleiman Frangieh withdrew and endorsed him. A second round of voting is anticipated, where Aoun may gain additional support from Hezbollah and its allies, who cast blank votes in the first round. The ongoing leadership vacuum exacerbates Lebanon's economic crisis, which has led to severe financial instability and a lack of effective governance.