The recent announcement by Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea that his party is studying a proposal to advance the parliamentary elections has sparked surprise in political circles, especially as it comes at a time when various political forces are preoccupied with more urgent matters, most notably negotiations and ongoing agreements to complete the Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories, securing the return of displaced persons to their villages, launching the reconstruction process, and amid serious fears of a possible renewal of war in Lebanon.

Geagea linked his proposal to the proceedings of the last session of the Lebanese Parliament, which he strongly criticized, warning against re-entering 'the same vicious circle that led Lebanon to financial and economic collapse,' and speaking of 'the disappearance of the justifications that necessitated the extension.'

What happened in Parliament over the past two days represents a major scandal for parliamentary work itself, and for the lack of sense of responsibility among a large number of MPs. The scene, in terms of form, is a scandal in every sense of the word, and as for content, it defies description. A parliament that fails to pass a deserved amnesty law to lift...

— Samir Geagea (@DrSamirGeagea) July 17, 2026

Last March, days after the start of a new round of war between Israel and Hezbollah, the general assembly of the Lebanese Parliament approved a two-year extension of the parliament's term, attributing it to unstable security conditions. The Strong Republic bloc, the Strong Lebanon bloc, and the Kataeb party opposed the two-year extension, and were pushing for an extension limited to only six months.

Unstable Conditions

Lebanese official sources considered that 'any decision on advancing the election date is left to the political forces and the Parliament, given that the relevant ministries were largely ready to hold the parliamentary elections on their scheduled date last May before the renewal of the war.' The sources said in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that 'conditions are still unstable, necessitating waiting before making any decision in this regard.'

The Strong Republic bloc, affiliated with the Lebanese Forces, during a press conference at the Parliament (Parliament Presidency)

The Idea Under Study

MP Razi Al-Hajj from the Strong Republic bloc explained the reasons that prompted Geagea to put this proposal back on the table, recalling that 'from the beginning, the bloc was against postponing the elections for a long period, which was represented by our submission at the time of a draft law to limit the postponement to only six months, but it was not adopted.' He pointed out that 'during the last legislative session, there was chaos in legislation, voting, and the way the Parliament was run, so Geagea's position was a political message that this cannot continue.'

Al-Hajj noted in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that 'the idea is still under study, and will be discussed in the Strong Republic bloc, and we will act accordingly.'

A Political Message

Most political forces seemed to treat Geagea's announcement as a political message rather than a new direction in this regard. MP Dr. Bilal Abdallah from the Democratic Meeting bloc told Asharq Al-Awsat: 'It is no secret that the position announced by Dr. Geagea is, for now, a political position. Therefore, when a draft law is formally submitted, we will discuss this proposal in the Democratic Meeting bloc and in the Progressive Socialist Party, and take the appropriate decision.' He added: 'There is no doubt that these elections will lead to a change in faces, and even in some sizes, but it will not be a radical change due to the current sectarian, denominational, and regional electoral system.'

Part of a legislative session held by the Lebanese Parliament in mid-July 2026 (Parliament Presidency)

Promises Without Achievements

The Free Patriotic Movement does not appear hesitant to vote for any draft law to advance the election date, as indicated by Deputy Head of the Movement Naji Hayek, who recalled that they were originally against postponing the elections, 'so whenever the concerned parties find it appropriate to hold the electoral process, we will be ready for the elections.'

Hayek said in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that very significant developments occurred after the war that will affect the election date, adding that the past months confirmed that the government and its ministers promised people many achievements, only to show that they achieved nothing despite all the power, capabilities, and external support, unlike what happened with us when the whole world was against us.'

Priorities Elsewhere

For his part, political writer Qassim Qassir, close to Hezbollah, expressed surprise at advancing the election date, considering that 'the security, political, or popular conditions are not suitable, and the region is in a state of war, and no one knows where things are heading.'

Qassir told Asharq Al-Awsat that 'priorities are elsewhere, and attention should now be focused on confronting the Israeli enemy, achieving its withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories, the return of the displaced, and reconstruction,' ruling out that 'elections at this stage would lead to a major change in the political scene. While a number of MPs may change, the main political forces will remain present, and at their current sizes.'