Parliament of Lebanon

Parliament of Lebanon
Name	Parliament of Lebanon
Native name	مجلس النواب
Transcription name	Majlis an-Nuwwab
Legislature	Lebanese Republic
House type	Unicameral
Body	Lebanese Parliament
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Nabih Berri
Party1	Amal Movement
Election1	1992
Leader2 type	Deputy Speaker
Leader2	Elias Bou Saab
Party2	Marada Movement
Election2	2022
Members	128
Political groups1	March 8 Alliance (60), Free Patriotic Movement (18), Amal Movement (15), Hezbollah (13), Marada Movement (2), Tashnag (2), Ba'ath Party (1), Syrian Social Nationalist Party (1), Al-Ahbash (1), Independents (7), March 14 Alliance (38), Lebanese Forces (18), Kataeb Party (4), Progressive Socialist Party (7), Islamic Group (1), Independents (8), Other (30), Strong Republic Bloc (12), National Moderation Bloc (6), Independents (12)
Last election1	15 May 2022
Meeting place	Parliament Building, Nijmeh Square, Beirut
Website	www.lp.gov.lb

Parliament of Lebanon. The Parliament of Lebanon, officially the Chamber of Deputies, is the national unicameral legislature of the Lebanese Republic. Established under the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon, its structure and confessional allocation were formalized in the 1943 National Pact and later the Taif Agreement. The Parliament exercises legislative authority, approves the Council of Ministers, and plays a central role in the country's consociational political system, which is based on power-sharing among Lebanon's numerous religious communities.

History

The origins of the modern legislature trace back to the administrative council established during the Ottoman Empire's rule over Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate. Following World War I, the French Mandate created a representative body, which evolved into the Chamber of Deputies after independence was declared in 1943. Key historical milestones include the unwritten 1943 National Pact, which established confessional representation, and the Lebanese Civil War, which paralyzed the institution for much of the period between 1975 and 1990. The war's conclusion was marked by the Taif Agreement, negotiated in Taif, which redistributed parliamentary seats between Muslims and Christians and enhanced the powers of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, while slightly reducing those of the President of Lebanon.

Structure and composition

The Parliament is a single chamber composed of 128 members, known as Deputies. Seats are allocated according to a strict confessional system based on the 1932 Lebanese census, with equal numbers reserved for Muslims and Christians. Among Muslims, seats are divided between Sunnis, Shiites, Alawites, and Druze. Christian seats are allocated to Maronites, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholics, Armenian Orthodox, Armenian Catholics, and other smaller communities. The presiding officer is the Speaker, who must be a Shiite Muslim and is elected by the members; Nabih Berri of the Amal Movement has held this position since 1992.

Powers and functions

Constitutionally, the Parliament holds legislative power and is responsible for enacting laws, approving the national budget, and ratifying international treaties. It exercises oversight over the executive branch, represented by the Council of Ministers, through votes of confidence and interpellation. A critical function is the election of the President of Lebanon, a role reserved for a Maronite Christian, which requires a two-thirds majority in the first round. The Parliament also approves declarations of war and states of emergency. Its authority is shared within the framework of the National Pact, which balances power among the President of Lebanon, the Prime Minister (a Sunni Muslim), and the Speaker.

Electoral system

Members are elected for four-year terms based on a system of proportional representation within multi-member constituencies, which correspond to the governorates of Lebanon. The current electoral law, passed in 2017, introduced preferential voting and lowered the voting age to 21. Elections are overseen by the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities. The most recent election was held in May 2022, after a prolonged period of instability following the 2019–2021 Lebanese protests and the 2020 Beirut explosion. The electoral framework is designed to maintain the pre-defined confessional balance within each district.

Political dynamics and blocs

Parliamentary politics are dominated by shifting coalitions and alliances, primarily the March 8 Alliance and the March 14 Alliance, which formed after the 2005 Cedar Revolution and the assassination of Rafic Hariri. Major political parties include the Free Patriotic Movement, founded by Michel Aoun; the Lebanese Forces, led by Samir Geagea; the Amal Movement; and the Hezbollah. The Progressive Socialist Party, traditionally led by the Jumblatt family, and the Kataeb Party are also significant actors. Alliances often transcend sectarian lines on key issues such as foreign policy toward Syria and Iran, economic reform, and the role of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Building and facilities

The Parliament building is located in Downtown Beirut at Nijmeh Square, adjacent to the Grand Serail. The original structure, designed by Mardiros Altounian, was heavily damaged during the Lebanese Civil War. It was extensively renovated and expanded in the post-war period under the direction of the Solidere company. The complex includes the main chamber, offices for the Speaker and deputies, committee rooms, and administrative wings. The building's architecture blends Ottoman and modern elements and serves as a central landmark in the reconstructed Beirut Central District.

Category:National legislatures Category:Politics of Lebanon Category:Unicameral legislatures