The Mustaqbal Movement and the Lebanese Forces will run for the May 6 parliamentary elections in separate lists in the majority of electoral districts, negatively affecting the number of seats the Christian party is expected to win in parliament.
“Talks are still ongoing. However, the current electoral law makes it difficult for us to build alliances. In almost all districts, separation is better than a coalition,” a source from the Mustaqbal Movement told Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday.
However, LF circles explained the separation differently.
“Offering justifications related to the electoral law are nothing but claims to justify the Mustaqbal’s lack of political will to reach an agreement with us,” sources from the LF said.
The Christian party had counted on allying with Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s Movement in the majority of electoral districts to win more seats during the upcoming polls.
However, talks between the two sides produced an alliance in only two electoral districts: Baalbak-Hermel in the Bekaa and Akkar in the north.
“Talks with the Mustaqbal Movement have reached a dead end, except an alliance in Akkar and the Baalbek-Hermel districts,” LF leader Samir Geagea's aide, candidate Wehbe Qatisha told Asharq Al-Awsat.
For his part, head of LF communications and media department Charles Jabbour said an alliance could have been reached between the two sides if the Mustaqbal had the political will.
“While the Mustqabl took a decision not to ally with the LF, they chose to join hands with the Free Patriotic Movement in several districts, including Zahle, Beirut and Koura,” Jabbour said.
He admitted that an alliance with Hariri’s Movement would have placed the LF in a better situation in most areas. “It seems clear that they took a decision to ally with the FPM,” Jabbour added.