Lebanese parliament approves two-year postponement of legislative elections

The Lebanese Parliament has approved extending its mandate for two years, meaning that the legislative elections that were scheduled for next May will be postponed. The move comes amid internal political disputes and pressures related to the country’s security and political situation.

9 March, 2026 18:57

NEWS DESK

The General Assembly of the Lebanese Parliament approved today the extension of the parliament’s mandate for two years, according to the National News Agency.

The agency reported that the extension was passed with a majority of 76 votes, while 41 MPs opposed it and 4 abstained from voting.

The Lebanese Parliament held a session chaired by its Speaker, Nabih Berri, attended by MPs, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and ministers, to discuss and approve draft laws listed on the agenda. Parliamentary elections had been scheduled to take place next May.

The extension comes at a time when this scenario had already been circulating in political circles even before the recent military escalation, due to internal disagreements over the election law, particularly the issue of the “16th electoral district” designated for expatriate voting.

Reports also spoke of Western advice urging the postponement of the elections, considering that the current priority should be restricting weapons to the authority of the state.

ANHA