Report: Mustaqbal to mass submit parliamentary vote nominations

In a step carrying political indications, al-Mustaqbal Movement has asked dozens of its members and figures close to it to officially submit their parliamentary vote nominations next week, An-Nahar newspaper reported on Friday.

The Movement, whose political activities have been suspended for the past few years, intends to take part in the elections in terms of both nominations and voting, the daily said.

“These figures have started preparing their administrative and legal files ahead of submitting them en masse in a highly calculated move intended to be a political event in itself,” An-Nahar added.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement, a mainly Sunni political party in Lebanon founded by slain ex-PM Rafik Hariri and led by his son, ex-PM Saad Hariri, announced in January 2022 that it would suspend its political activities and not participate in the 2022 parliamentary elections.

Hariri cited the growing political power of Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, as a primary reason for withdrawing from politics. Hariri also acknowledged making mistakes by engaging with political foes at the expense of his allies, which weakened his position and the party’s clout over time.

Hariri's exit was also seen as a reflection of Saudi Arabia's decision to distance itself from Lebanese politics. The decision left a significant power vacuum within the Lebanese Sunni community, as the Hariri family had dominated that political space since the end of the civil war.

The absence of al-Mustaqbal Movement in 2022 led to fractured Sunni representation in parliament. While the party suspended official operations, it did not strictly forbid its supporters from voting or running, though it directed that official members not participate.

In a speech in downtown Beirut earlier this month, Hariri signaled that Mustaqbal would take part in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

"The whole country has two questions: Will the elections be held? And what will al-Mustaqbal do? And I have one answer: tell me when the elections will be held and I'll tell you what al-Mustaqbal will do," Hariri said.

"But I promise you, whenever the elections are held, I promise you: they will hear our voices, and they will count our votes!" he vowed.