Lebanon’s Bar Association Elections: A Field of Candidates in Beirut and Tripoli
The Beirut and Tripoli Bar Associations are gearing up for their first round of elections this Sunday, where members will vote for new officials, including the president. The process is marked by a significant number of candidates, raising questions about the potential for decisive outcomes.
Tripoli’s Contenders
In Tripoli, five candidates are vying for positions. Three are running for the presidency: Shawki Sassin, Marwan Daher, and Elie Daher. The other two, Nabhan Haddad and Zaher Matarji, are running for membership. Sources suggest that the required quorum for the first round may not be met, potentially leading to a second round on November 9, 2025. This second round would involve members who have paid their annual subscriptions, approximately 1,500 lawyers, though only around 1,200 are expected to attend, based on previous elections.
Historically, Tripoli’s presidency is held by a Christian, and a Sunni member is elected. However, with multiple candidates competing for the presidency, the election of a Sunni candidate could be challenging. The election dynamics also involve alliances: the Future Movement and Marada are supporting Marwan Daher, while the Free Patriotic Movement has not yet decided on its support. The Lebanese Forces are backing Elie Daher, and most former presidents support Shawki Sassin. There are reports of attempts to reach an agreement between Shawki Sassin and Elie Daher for one to withdraw.
Beirut’s Competitive Scene
In Beirut, the first round is also likely to be postponed until November 16, 2025, due to the anticipated lack of quorum. Around 7,750 lawyers are eligible to vote, with an estimated 4,000 expected to participate. Twenty-two candidates are competing for membership, including four presidential candidates: Imad Martinos, Elias Bazerli, Wajih Massaad, and Pierre Hanna.
According to sources, the Lebanese Forces support Martinos, and the Kataeb Party supports Bazerli. Massaad and Hanna currently lack the support of any party and are relying on independent lawyers. Regarding the other membership candidates, alliances with parties remain unclear, except for the Lebanese Forces’ support for Elie Hachach, the Kataeb Party’s support for Maurice Gemayel, the Free Patriotic Movement’s support for Wassim Abou Tayeh, and the support for candidate Souad Choueib from the two Shiite parties.
Social media activity indicates an alliance between presidential candidate Elias Bazerli and candidates Maurice Gemayel, Wassim Abou Tayeh, and Nadim Hamadeh, with potential support from Maya Shehab, suggesting a party-based alliance among the Kataeb, the Free Patriotic Movement, and the Progressive Socialist Party. The Lebanese Forces continue to support Imad Martinos and Elie Hachach, with ongoing negotiations with the Future Movement, which supports Tawfik Noueiri. Souad Choueib, supported by the two Shiite parties, has yet to announce if she will join either political axis.
Pension Fund Elections
In contrast to the uncertainty surrounding the Beirut Bar Association membership elections, the elections for the pension fund committee, with eight candidates competing for five positions, are more straightforward. The candidates include Said Alameh, Said Nasr El Din, Milad Hakim, Michel Haddad, Fouad Matar, Bachara Amatoury, Ali Fawaz, and Nada Bakkar, the only female candidate for the committee.
Source: Annahar
About the Author
