KT edit: Change in Lebanon

Top Stories

Deadlines set by France are helpful, but real change will only come when political, social and economic reforms are initiated

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Mon 14 Sep 2020, 10:00 AM

Last updated: Mon 14 Sep 2020, 12:01 PM


How different will a new government in Lebanon look like if it conforms with the decades' old sectarian system of power-sharing? Will the cabinet, this time, have more teeth and willingness to tackle chronic issues such as corruption head-on and bring about a change that Lebanon truly needs? How will it govern? It is hard to say. But the bitter truth is, if ever there was a moment for change in Lebanon, this is it. Yet, political bickering continues and the role of Hezbollah remains debatable, which could pose a challenge while a new cabinet is being formed. The US sees the military and political group as a terror outfit and recently put sanctions on two former Lebanese ministers who are allied to Hezbollah. France, on the other hand, sees the group as part of the political makeup and has been supportive of the role it plays in the government. France's support for Hezbollah had emboldened the group in the past, and will do so now, too.
The country has suffered a great deal because of mismanagement and rampant corruption. The economy has been brought down to its knees and with it the lives of the Lebanese. Over half of the population is below the poverty line, and future looks bleak. People have taken upon themselves the basic civic duties that are supposed to be taken care by municipalities. They deserve a better government. Deadlines set by France are helpful, but real change will only come when political, social and economic reforms are initiated.
 


More news from