The Lebanese government is finally formed after almost nine months of stalling and attempts to resolve nodes. In his first Tweet after the formation, its leader, Saad Hariri, said “Let’s get to work”, after apologizing for the delay, pointing to social and economic challenges.
But what do the Lebanese expect from this new government? As Asharq Al-Awsat asked a number of citizens about their anticipations, the answers reflected despair over the possibility of any positive change.
“We are not waiting for anything because the choice of ministers in the new government is like moving the chess pieces. Every minister will be subject to the will of those who appointed him,” said school teacher and activist Fada Attar. “It will not bring about any meaningful change.”
Economic researcher and university professor Iyad al-Khalil pointed to “the corruption of the people in power.” He said that he “did not expect much from the formation of the government, although it will produce political stability.”
“The forces in power have not changed, nor have they any interest in improving the economic, social and tax system,” he added. “Perhaps the funds of the Cedar Conference will contribute to improving infrastructure and positively affect the economy,” Khalil underlined.
Khalil went on to say that the fight against corruption “is nothing but a slogan, because the system is still the same. Taxes are low or almost non-existent on the profits of the wealthy and the banking sector.”
Rouwaida Abu al-Hassan, a housewife and social activist, told Asharq Al-Awsat that she believed it was “too late for the Lebanese to wait for something from this political class.”
“Senior employees are dependent on the power mafias, so there is no accountability,” she added.
The Executive Director of the Lebanese Center for Research and Studies (Politicat), Tony Habib, stressed that the government was expected to address the economic situation because the living conditions of the citizens were no longer tolerable.
