Lebanon’s new government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, has won the backing of 95 lawmakers in the 128-seat parliament, following a confidence vote. Salam’s government pledged to push for economic reforms and begin negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. The new administration, made up of political outsiders, did not give Hezbollah the same legitimizing role in defending Lebanon as previous governments had. This marks a shift in Lebanon’s political landscape, especially after Hezbollah’s losses in last year’s war with Israel.
The new government faces numerous challenges, including economic reconstruction, a battered economy, and financial sector, as well as the aftermath of the country’s financial collapse in 2019. Lebanon’s sovereign default in 2020 left ordinary depositors locked out of their savings in the banking system. The US played a direct role in facilitating the formation of the new government, with the aim of accessing reconstruction funds following the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. A draft funding deal with the IMF was reached in 2022, contingent on reforms that Lebanese authorities have yet to deliver.
Lebanon’s new government signals a post-Hezbollah era and a shift towards prioritizing the state’s authority over decisions on war and peace, as well as a commitment to implementing unfulfilled provisions of the constitution. With a focus on economic reforms, negotiations with the IMF, and rebuilding infrastructure, the government faces an uphill battle to stabilize the country and address the challenges left in the wake of recent conflicts and financial crises.
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