It”s now up to Sleiman to drive Lebanon”s national reform agenda
In May 2008 newly elected consensus President Michel Sleiman inherited a fractured Cabinet, a divided Parliament and the reins of a country driven to the brink. As Lebanon”s steward and Doha”s executor, Sleiman led the nation through the perils of political deadlock and a fiercely contested parliamentary election.
On Saturday, June 20, Parliament”s mandate ends and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora”s government dissolves. The horse-trading to fill the new cabinet is already under way, but whatever its composition one thing is clear: The next government will inherit Sleiman, a committed and even-handed head of state.
In this sense, June 21 is the first day of Sleiman”s presidency. Now he can, and must, set the national agenda. This is no small task and one that could entail real political risks. The path to reform is gradual and difficult, and will likely be opposed by a variety of parties at different stages.
But we hope and believe the president is up to the challenge. In his inaugural address, Sleiman spoke of committing to "one national project with open minds in order to achieve the interests of the country." What made this speech, which is as relevant today as it was when it was spoken, remarkable was the attention Sleiman paid to explaining that project.
Leaders in the region, democrats and autocrats alike, often enshroud their words with affecting but hollow calls to nationalism or faith. Sleiman called for substantive policy changes. His words were a manual for advancement.
In itself, this was commendable, but it won”t be enough. Sleiman needs to craft the mechanisms through which the government can implement change. Pundits often refer to Lebanon as a car, noting that even with a new driver you have the same engine. Sleiman needs to take the wheel. But he also needs to fix the engine.
To do this he will need help from both political blocs and the growing field of independents. The March 14 coalition, winner of the parliamentary elections, should present itself as the most willing partner in reform. Although the bloc won the polls, their margin of victory was not overwhelming. March 14 did not win a mandate on the style and efficacy of its rule, but rather attracted voters interested in stability and uncertain of where an opposition victory would take the country.
If the ruling coalition does not succeed in delivering on its promises and helping the president implement his, 2013 will not be so kind.
When he took office Sleiman said the chief "attribute of democracy is the handing of authority through free elections." This has been done. He also said: "The people gave us their trust in order for us to achieve their ambitions." This is the next phase.