BEIRUT: Former President Michel Sleiman has announced his intention to “get back the republic” by forming a new political movement, which he hopes will bridge sectarian divisions and garner support from across the political spectrum.
Beginning in mid-February, Sleiman made a large number of exploratory overtures to political figures, with the intent of developing a new party or political movement, political sources told The Daily Star. A political ‘movement’ is the most probable option at this point, but the final label is still being discussed by Sleiman’s team, sources have revealed.
His team has been seeking out and consulting with potential supporters, contacting political figures and community leaders in Jbeil, Kesrouan, Metn, and other regions. According to sources, all of the leaders met by Sleiman so far have expressed an interest in joining the new movement, believing it could bridge political and sectarian divides and release the country from the grips of its two dominant alliances – the March 8 and March 14 coalitions.
The sources contended that Lebanon possesses a healthy democratic practice but that the current political parties do not adequately represent the priorities of the country’s citizens. The new “Sleimanian” movement hopes to provide them with another option. Women and youth are expected to play a leading role in the initiative.
Sleiman has contacted both domestic and international figures for support, and has expressed an interest in visiting expatriate communities, in an attempt to foster ties with Lebanon’s massive diaspora. He is scheduled to make one such visit Saturday, when he will travel to Dubai and be received as the guest of honor at an expatriate seminar. Sleiman hopes to extend his reach among the Emirates’ Lebanese community during the visit.
The former president has accepted a number of recent speaking invitations as he looks to build political support and elucidate the platform of his new movement. During a recent public appearance at a conference held by the Beirut Bar Association, Sleiman spoke about the characteristics of a weak president, a move viewed as intended to reduce the current number of candidates.
Sleiman’s movement will be officially announced at a launch event sometime before the anniversary of the end of his presidential term on May 25, and is scheduled to be attended by security officials, political leaders, diplomats, media figures and activists, according to sources.
The movement will also receive the blessing and protection of a number of religious authorities, including Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai, the sources said. Rai has previously cited a number of beliefs the two hold in common, including an acceleration of the presidential election process, instituting a modern electoral law, and the decentralization of government.
At their most recent meeting, sources alleged Rai encouraged Sleiman to establish a new political movement that would include Lebanon’s political and cultural elites and play a role in strengthening state institutions.
Sleiman served as commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces for a decade before his election to the presidency in 2008. While in office, Sleiman was a champion of the Baabda Declaration, a 2012 agreement by Lebanon’s major political parties affirming the country’s neutrality in regional conflicts.
He stepped down at the end of his six-year term in May last year. Parliament has been unable to agree on a successor and the post has remained vacant amid political infighting and boycotts of electoral sessions.
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