Lebanon’s new electoral law favours sectarian parties

Significance

Parliament on June 16 ratified a new electoral law, averting the looming political crisis that threatened to leave the country without a legislature.

Impacts

• New, non-sectarian political movements could launch street protests against the law, as they plan a strategy for the 2018 elections.
• Redistricting could incentivise collaboration between the larger Christian parties.
• Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri will try to boost his re-election prospects through improved government performance.
• Border security, Syrian refugee fears, infrastructure spending and rubbish collection will be key areas of focus.
• Only a major regional crisis such as war between Israel and Hezbollah would be sufficient to postpone elections again.