A Chance for Change or a Cycle of Corruption?
As the date for the municipal and optional elections in Lebanon approaches, and with all political parties insisting on adhering to the schedule, all eyes are turning toward the capital, Beirut, which eagerly awaits May 18.
These elections represent a genuine opportunity to change the situation for Lebanese citizens in general, and the people of Beirut in particular especially in light of the country’s current transformations, from the election of a new president and the formation of a promising government, to the political breakthrough taking place in Syria. So, transparency and the standards adopted in forming the municipal council cannot be taken lightly, particularly with the strict American oversight on various sectors in Lebanon.
It is well known that all parties are trying to secure their “share” in the municipality. The “Union of Beirut Families Associations” has come forward with a list of candidates who have gone from being merely incompetent to outright corrupt.
The Union held a meeting at its headquarters and endorsed three names. The first is Mr. Sami Bleiq, who served as an advisor to former Beirut Governor Ziad Chebib -a problematic affiliation, as Chebib’s name has been tied to allegations of illicit enrichment and corruption, including the squandering of nearly ten billion Lebanese pounds in public funds between 2018 and 2019.
The second name is not much better in terms of integrity: a former local leader of the Mazraa area salim almadhoon ,who although entrusted with community responsibilities, was involved in forging IDs and suspiciously transferring civil records to Beirut.
The question remains: is it reasonable for these to be the “criteria” adopted by the Union in selecting its candidates just to ensure it “benefits” from a municipal seat?
