As Lebanon approaches the long-awaited municipal elections in May 2025—following multiple delays caused by political deadlock and national instability—it becomes increasingly important to revisit the structure, function, and future of local governance. This paper offers a comprehensive and timely overview of Lebanon’s municipal election system, analyzing its historical trajectory, legal foundations, and institutional framework. It outlines the role municipalities and unions of municipalities play as key actors in decentralized governance, tasked with delivering essential public services and responding to local crises.
Despite their critical importance, municipalities in Lebanon operate within a fragmented and heavily centralized system marked by chronic financial dependency on the central government, weak administrative capacity, and overlapping mandates. The unchecked proliferation of municipalities, the absence of a robust legal framework specific to municipal elections, and the lack of effective monitoring and representation mechanisms have contributed to widespread inefficiencies and undermined citizens' trust in the democratic process.
By exploring these structural and political obstacles, the paper highlights the urgency of reform—calling for greater transparency, proportional representation, gender inclusivity, and strengthened local autonomy. These changes are essential not only for improving service delivery but also for empowering local governance as a foundation for national stability and democratic renewal in Lebanon.