The Presidency Isn't Enough
Why Lebanon’s PM Choice Is Make-or-Break
The next Lebanese government will define more than just policy—it will set the stage for a pivotal new chapter in Lebanon’s history.
This isn’t about empty promises, political theater, or business as usual.
The appointments and decisions made by this government will shape the country’s trajectory for years to come—this is no exaggeration.
We must not allow Lebanon’s historically problematic political forces to reclaim what they couldn’t achieve when they failed to stop Joseph Aoun from becoming our 14th president: a return to the status quo that led to our collapse and current predicament.
Here’s what’s on the upcoming cabinet’s plate:
Appointing a New Army Commander: This isn’t just about who leads the military; it’s about whether Lebanon can effectively implement the nearing expiration of the 60-day ceasefire agreement and secure peace—or at the very least, ensure that decisions to launch a war are not controlled by one illegitimate militia.
Appointing a Central Bank Governor: Financial stability is hanging by a thread, and the next governor will either tighten that thread—or snap it entirely. Lebanon cannot afford to see Riad Salameh’s enablers or Najib Mikati’s cronies taking over this position. Such a move would erase any hope for accountability in the Ponzi scheme that robbed an entire nation and enriched its corrupt leaders.
Judicial Appointments: Will the Beirut Port explosion victims ever see justice? Will corruption and financial crimes finally be prosecuted? And what about the civilians, like myself, persecuted by military tribunals for free speech—will this blatant miscarriage of justice be rectified? These appointments will determine whether truth and accountability prevail—or whether Lebanon slips back into the shadows of a bygone Assad regime, perpetuating the same impunity we’ve lived under for decades.
Security Agencies Leadership, First-Category Ministry Positions, and Regulatory Authorities: These roles affect everything from public safety to economic recovery. Corruption will remain entrenched if the same faces are reappointed. Lebanon does not need new versions of Jamil El Sayyed. We need security and intelligence leaders who are committed to protecting the people—not torturing and blackmailing them.
Diplomatic Leadership: Lebanon’s representation abroad is key to repairing its international standing. We all remember the chaos, corruption, and reputational damage caused by Gebran Bassil. The “Lebanese Diaspora Energy” scheme, which siphoned off public funds in collaboration with Riad Salameh, cannot be repeated. It’s time to end the era of Berri and Bassil loyalists as ambassadors who represent only themselves and their patronage networks.
We Must Not Let Them Appoint Najib Mikati Again
It’s no secret that I have long supported Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s next president. His leadership, vision, and track record embody what the country desperately needs in this moment of crisis: stability, pragmatism, and the capacity to navigate our volatile security environment.
Aoun’s presidency was a hard-fought victory, offering a glimpse of hope for a Lebanon that can move past the stranglehold of its old ruling class. But this hope will mean nothing if the same forces that resisted his election appoint Najib Mikati—or yet another “spare tire” of Hezbollah—as prime minister.
What made Joseph Aoun’s election possible was an extraordinary example of collaboration. Groups and MPs who are rarely aligned on policy or political vision managed to come together to achieve one common goal. This level of cooperation, built on a shared understanding of Lebanon’s urgent need for change, is exactly what we need to see on Monday during the mandatory consultations for the next prime minister. Lebanon cannot afford to miss this opportunity for collective action that prioritizes the national interest over individual agendas.
The choice of prime minister is equally, if not more, critical than the presidency itself. This decision will determine whether Lebanon’s new chapter under Joseph Aoun’s leadership leads to meaningful reform or sinks back into the disastrous status quo that brought us to collapse.
MPs must rise above their differences once again and choose a leader who represents hope, reform, and the possibility of rebuilding trust with the Lebanese people.