Beirut, Lebanon - Lebanon's parliament has successfully elected General Joseph Aoun as the new president on January 9, 2025, breaking a two-year stalemate that has left the country without a head of state. This election came after a lengthy period marked by a political vacuum following the end of former President Michel Aoun's term in October 2022, and demonstrates a shift in power dynamics within the region.

The election process, which involved two rounds of voting, concluded with Joseph Aoun securing the support of 99 out of 128 members of parliament, thus surpassing the necessary majority in the second round. The previous attempt, a first round of voting held earlier that day, saw Aoun falling short, receiving only 71 votes as several lawmakers from the pro-Hezbollah bloc abstained.

Joseph Aoun, who has previously led the Lebanese army since 2017, is viewed as a candidate favored by the international community, particularly by the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia. His ascension to the presidency is seen as a response to the weakening influence of Hezbollah following a devastating war with Israel late last year.

In his inaugural address to lawmakers, Aoun proclaimed a "new phase in Lebanon's history," emphasizing his intention to address the country's pressing economic crises and the necessity of monolithic state control over arms, a clear message directed towards Hezbollah's military capabilities. "The Lebanese state will get rid of the Israeli occupation," he stated, highlighting the urgent need for national unity and a coherent state strategy against external threats.

The political landscape of Lebanon, heavily influenced by its sectarian power-sharing system, has posed significant challenges for electoral consensus. Aoun's presidency comes after Hezbollah's long-supported candidate, Suleiman Frangieh, unexpectedly withdrew from the race and endorsed Aoun, indicating a possible shift in internal political alliances.

The road ahead poses daunting challenges for Aoun, who will need to spearhead efforts to form a new government capable of implementing long-awaited economic reforms needed to restore confidence from international financial backers. Both local and international assessments underline that Lebanon is in dire need of structural reforms and a revitalized government to stabilize its faltering economy, which has suffered a dramatic collapse since 2019.

The next steps for the newly elected president include consultations to appoint a new prime minister while ensuring the military's role in upholding the ceasefire with Israel. With Lebanon navigating through economic turmoil and a fractured political landscape, the election of Joseph Aoun may represent a hopeful turning point in its ongoing struggle for governance and stability.