Lebanon's newly formed government has secured the confidence of the parliament, marking a significant political shift in the crisis-ridden nation. On February 8, a government composed of political outsiders emerged, obtaining the backing of 95 lawmakers in Lebanon's 128-seat chamber. This new administration presented its agenda to a parliament still dominated by parties held accountable for the country's near economic collapse. Despite the backing from Hezbollah, the policy statement notably excluded any language legitimizing Hezbollah's role in defending Lebanon, signaling a departure from past governmental stances.
The new government faces a daunting task, grappling with extensive reconstruction efforts and a battered economy. Lebanon has been mired in an economic crisis since 2019, when the financial system crumbled under the weight of massive state debts. The situation worsened in 2020 when Lebanon defaulted on its sovereign debt, leaving ordinary depositors unable to access their savings. Although Beirut reached a draft funding agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2022, it was contingent on reforms that authorities failed to implement.
Prime Minister Salam has expressed his administration's commitment to economic recovery and meaningful reforms.
“We will work on removing Lebanon from the grey list and start negotiations with the International Monetary Fund,” – Salam
In this vein, Salam emphasized prioritizing the interests of depositors.
“We will put depositors at the top of our priorities.” – Salam
Lebanon's political landscape has been significantly altered since Hezbollah suffered setbacks in its 14-month conflict with Israel and following Bashar al-Assad's fall in neighboring Syria, closing supply routes from Iran.
“It’s a different time, and follows Hezbollah’s 14-month conflict with Israel and the fall of Bashar al-Assad in neighboring Syria, which closed supply routes from Iran,” – Khodr
Hezbollah's support for the new government was confirmed by senior lawmaker Mohammed Raad, yet this administration did not confer Hezbollah with exclusive status as the only legitimate armed entity outside the military. This decision underscores a desire for a state loyal to constitutional principles, as articulated by Prime Minister Salam.
“We want a state that holds the exclusive authority over decisions on war and peace, a state loyal to the constitution and national accord ensuring the implementation of unfulfilled provisions,” – Salam
