Challenges in Lebanese Government Stability

Lebanon has a history of instability in its national government, evidenced by the rapid turnover of prime ministers, with 52 having held the position since the establishment of the state 80 years ago. The innovative political structure, known as the National Pact, was designed to distribute power among the country’s diverse ethno-religious communities by allocating specific roles, such as a Maronite Christian president and a Sunni Muslim prime minister. However, this arrangement has led to prolonged political gridlock and divisive partisanship, undermining effective governance and often resulting in stalemates that hinder the decision-making process. Recent developments include the election of Joseph Aoun as president, who, alongside Nawaf Salam as the new prime minister, brings a fresh perspective; their relative inexperience in politics may serve as an unintended advantage given Lebanon's complex political landscape.