General Joseph Aoun is elected president of Lebanon following a two-year impasse.

A two-year political void has been filled with the election of General Joseph Aoun as the new president of Lebanon by the parliament. Following the expiration of former President Michel Aoun's term in October 2022, a protracted period of political paralysis came to an end with the election on January 9, 2025. In the second round of voting, General Aoun, who has been in charge of the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017, received 99 votes out of 128—more than the majority needed.

Election Information and Background

Political Deadlock: Since October 2022, Lebanon has been without a president, creating a serious governance void. Deep rifts within the parliament, especially between Hezbollah and its opponents, made the political deadlock worse and made it more difficult to elect a new president.

Candidacy of General Joseph Aoun: Known for leading the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Aoun, 60, is regarded as a unifying force in the country's divided political environment. Both domestic and foreign stakeholders, including the United States, which sees him as a stabilizing force in the midst of Lebanon's ongoing crises, strongly supported his candidacy.

Obstacles to Come

Even after the election, Lebanon still faces many obstacles:

Economic Crisis: With skyrocketing inflation and pervasive poverty, the nation is experiencing one of the worst financial crises in modern history.

Political Stability: To enact reforms and rebuild confidence in state institutions, the next president will have to negotiate a sharply divided political landscape.

International Relations: Lebanon's recovery will depend on obtaining foreign assistance for development and reconstruction.