Anticipating the dissipation of Lebanon's exceptional circumstances?

“Lebanon Debate”

The winds of appeal against the municipal term extension did not carry the parliamentary "appeals" ships as expected. Instead, they veered in a completely different direction. The division among judges in the Constitutional Council has solidified the reality of municipality extension until the exceptional circumstances prompting parliament's decision dissipate. Keeping in mind that these exceptional circumstances risk becoming permanent in the midst of the ongoing escalation in the south. This is the main reason behind both the failure and the delay in conducting municipal and head of village elections this year.

The reliance of opposition parliamentary blocs, who lodged an appeal with the Constitutional Council to halt the extension law might have collided with political, rather than strictly legal considerations. However, constitutional expert lawyer Said Malik affirmed to Lebanon Debate that the recent ruling by the Constitutional Council regarding the municipal term extension has "validated the decision to extend the term of municipalities." The Council deemed the ongoing exceptional circumstances as realistic, serious, and actual.

As a response to the question surrounding a possible exception, the attorney clarified that the Constitutional Council, in its decision regarding the three appeals presented, took into account the escalation of the security circumstances, whether in the south or within the country, to justify the extension.”

As for the awaited legal step, the attorney explains that it requires the parliament to enact a law requiring the government to hold municipal elections once security is restored and things return to normal.

In practical terms, Malik explains, through the decision of the Constitutional Council, that the situation will remain the same. The municipalities will continue to operate, in accordance with the extension law issued by parliament. This will persist until the security situation is stable, awaiting the parliament to meet and enact a law that sets a date for these elections.