Beirut I
Constituency
for the Parliament of Lebanon
GovernorateBeirut
Electorate134,355 (2018)[1][2]
Current constituency
Created2017
Number of members8 (3 Armenian Orthodox, 1 Armenian Catholic, 1 Greek Catholic, 1 Greek Orthodox, 1 Maronite, 1 Minorities)

Beirut I (Arabic: دائرة بيروت الأولى) is an electoral district in Lebanon. The district elects eight members of the Lebanese National Assembly – three Armenian Orthodox, one Armenian Catholic, one Greek Catholic, one Greek Orthodox, one Maronite and one Minorities.

The Beirut I electoral district covers four quartiers (neighbourhoods) of the Lebanese capital: Achrafieh, Saifi, Rmeil and Medawar.[3] The area is predominately Christian; the largest community in the Beirut I electorate are Armenian Orthodox (28.33%).[4][5] 19.2% are Greek Orthodox, 13.19% Maronite, 9.8% Greek Catholic, 9.76% Sunni, 5.57% Armenian Catholic, 3.95% Syriac Catholic, 3% Latin Catholics, 1.97% other Minorities groups, 2.88% Evangelicals, 1.99% Shia and 0.37% Druze or Alawite.[4][5]

1960–1972

Beirut I electoral district 1960–1972

Beirut I was a parliamentary constituency in Lebanon. It covered six neighbourhoods (quartiers) of the capital; Achrafieh, Medawar, Minet El Hosn, Port, Rmeil and Saifi.[6] It elected eight Christian parliamentarians; three Armenian Orthodox, one Armenian Catholic, one Protestant, one Maronite, one Greek Orthodox and one Greek Catholic.[7] This constituency was used in the 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972 elections.

1960 Election Law

The constituency was established as part of the 1960 Election Law.[8][7] In the 1957 parliamentary election Beirut had been divided into two constituencies. Achrafieh, Rmeil and Saifi had been part of the Christian-dominated first district, whilst Medawar, Minet El Hosn and Port had been part of the predominantly Muslim second district.[9] The issue of the delimitations of the Beirut constituencies had been contested, but an agreement between Christian and Muslim leaders was reached on February 23, 1960, by which there was agreement that Beirut I would be assigned eight Christian seats. The Election Law was passed in April 1960.[7]

Demographics

On April 4, 1960, the census office published a voters list, which stated that Beirut I had 21,600 Armenian Orthodox registered voters, 16,459 Greek Orthodox, 13,654 Maronites, 8,861 Sunni Muslims, 7,403 Armenian Catholics, 5,121 Jews, 5,059 Greek Catholic, 3,161 Protestants, 2,702 Syriac Catholics, 2,200 Shia Muslims, 1,117 Latin Catholics, 748 Chaldeans, 460 Syriac Orthodox, 152 Druze and 180 persons belonging to other religious groups.[6][7] Minet El Hosn hosted the majority of the Jewish community in Lebanon.[6]

As of April 1972 it was estimated that Beirut I had 32,190 Armenian Orthodox voters, 16,709 Greek Orthodox, 13,899 Maronites, 8,046 Greek Catholics, 6,573 Sunni Muslims, 5,352 Armenian Catholics, 3,558 Jews, 3,082 Syriac Catholics, 2,749 Armenian Protestants, 2,070 Latin Catholics and 1,831 Shia Muslims.[10]

Members of Parliament elected from Beirut I

Armenian
Orthodox		 Armenian
Catholic		 Protestant Maronite Greek
Orthodox		 Greek
Catholic
1960 Movses Der Kaloustian Khatchig Babikian Souren Khanamirian Joseph Chader Charles Saad Pierre Gemayel Fouad Boutros Antoine Sehnawi
1964 Movses Der Kaloustian Khatchig Babikian Souren Khanamirian Joseph Chader Charles Saad Pierre Gemayel Fouad Boutros Antoine Sehnawi
1968 Movses Der Kaloustian Khatchig Babikian Souren Khanamirian Joseph Chader Samir Ishaq Pierre Gemayel Michel Georges Sassine Nasri Maalouf
1972 Melkon Eblighatian Khatchig Babikian Souren Khanamirian Joseph Chader Antranig Manoukian Pierre Gemayel Michel Georges Sassine Nasri Maalouf

1960 election

In the 1960 general election there were two main lists in Beirut I. The election was won by the People's List, a joint list of the Kataeb Party and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. The main challenger had been the National Front list headed by Pierre Eddé.[11]

1964 election

In a surprise move ahead of the 1964 general election, Camille Chamoun withdrew his candidates from Beirut I.[12] In the end, all candidates of the Kataeb-Armenian Revolutionary Federation 'People's List' were elected unopposed.[13]

1968 election

During the 1968 general election the electoral district had 98,439 eligible voters, out of whom 28,631 voted (29.59 percent, the lowest turn-out of all constituencies).[14][15][16] The elections in Beirut I passed smoothly without violent incidents.[14] The four Armenian parliamentarians were elected unopposed.[14] Pierre Gemayel won the Maronite seat and his fellow Kataeb member Samir Ishaq won the Protestant seat.[14][17] Michel Georges Sassine won the Greek Orthodox seat whilst and the Greek Catholic on Sassine's list Nasri Maalouf was also elected.[14]

1972 election

In the 1972 general election, the last election to be held before the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War, all candidates of the Kataeb-Armenian Revolutionary Federation-National Liberal list were elected. The main contender had been the Protestant candidate Tony Saad, who mustered 10,778 votes. 33.9 percent of the registered voters cast their ballots.[18]

After the Civil War, a new set-up of constituencies was used ahead of the 1992 general election abolishing the 1960 Election Law constituencies.[19]

2009

Beirut I constituency boundary, covering 3 neighbourhoods in eastern Beirut

Beirut I was an electoral district in Lebanon. It covered three neighbourhoods (quartiers) in the eastern parts of the capital; Achrafieh, Rmeil and Saifi.[20] The constituency elected five members of the Parliament of Lebanon; one Maronite, one Greek Orthodox, one Greek Catholic, one Armenian Orthodox and one Armenian Catholic (for more information on the Lebanese electoral system, see Elections in Lebanon).[20] The constituency was created with the 2008 Doha Agreement, ahead of the 2009 parliamentary election.[19]

Creation

The boundaries and the sectarian seat allocation of the electoral district were defined by the 2008 Doha Agreement, which instituted election districts similar to those of the 1960 Election Law.[21] The creation of Beirut I meant that for the first time since the 1972 parliamentary election there was a Christian-majority electoral district in Beirut (between 1960 and 1972 there was a Christian-majority Beirut I electoral district with slightly different boundaries).[22] The new Election Law was formally adopted on September 28, 2008.[23]

Demographics

The majority of the Christian population of Beirut lives in Beirut I.[22] The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities reported in 2011 that the constituency had 91,486 voters and the following religious composition: 26.2% Greek Orthodox, 16.73% Maronites, 16.2% Armenian Orthodox, 12.94% Greek Catholic, 11.0% other Christian Minorities, 7.0% Sunni Muslims and 5.2% Armenian Catholics.[20] According to an article in Nahar newspaper published in May 2008, 2.24% of the registered voters of Beirut I were Protestants, 1.89% Shia Muslims and 0.28% Druze.[24] However, many of the registered voters of Beirut I live overseas.[22]

2009 election

During the 2009 election there were 92,764 registered voters in Beirut I.[20] Before the election a lot of attention was given to the race in Beirut I, as it was one of a handful of electoral districts where the outcome was difficult to predict on forehand.[25] Both March 8 and March 14 sought to mobilize overseas voters to come to Lebanon for the voting day.[22] However, incumbent parliamentarian Michel Pharaon criticized the mobilization of overseas voters.[26]

Free Decision List

The 'Free Decision List' was the list aligned with the March 14 alliance.[27] As of March 20, 2009 the March 14 candidates in Beirut I were Nadim Gemayel (son of Bashir Gemayel) of the Kataeb Party for the Maronite seat, Michel Pharaon of the Future Movement for the Greek Catholic seat, Nayla Tueni (daughter of Gebran Tueni) for the Greek Orthodox seat.[22] However, the alliance had difficulties defining the Armenian candidates for their list. Both March 8 and March 14 tries to get the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Tashnaqs) to contest on their list. Thus both alliances hesitated to nominate Armenian candidates before the Tashnaq party declared its allegiance.[22]

In November 2008, Tashnaq leaders met with a number of key personalities such as President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Speaker Nabih Berri, Ministers Elias Murr, Tamam Salam and Tarek Mitri, Jean Kahwaji (Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces), Sheikh Abdel Amir Kabalan, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir and Metropolitan Elias Audi. On December 1, 2008, a group of Tashnaq leaders met with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.[28] On March 8, 2009, Tashnaq leader Mekhitarian met with Saad Hariri and Michel Murr to discuss the upcoming election. Reportedly Hariri offered the Tashnaqs 4 out of 6 Armenian seats in Lebanon.[29] On April 2, 2009, the Tashnaqs publicly stated that they would contest the elections in alliance with Michel Aoun, rejecting Hariri's offer.[30] The Ramgavar and Hunchak parties were willing to contest on the March 14 list, but the Lebanese Forces also nominated an Armenian Catholic candidate, Richard Kouyoumjian. Many meetings took place to solve the issue. Pharaon presented the candidate of Sebouh Mkjian for the Armenian Orthodox seat. By April 25, 2009, Pharaon withdrew the candidature of Mkhjian. Only on May 20, 2009, did the Lebanese Forces leader withdraw the candidature of Kouyoumjian. In the end the Armenian Orthodox candidate on the March 14 list was Jean Ogassapian of the Ramgavar Party and the sitting parliamentarian Serge Torsarkissian of the Hunchak Party stood as the candidate for the Armenian Catholic seat.[31] The list was publicly declared on May 27, 2009.[32]

Aoun list

The candidates on the list linked to Michel Aoun were declared on April 1, 2009; Massoud Achkar for the Maronite seat, Nicolas Sehnaoui for the Greek Catholic seat, Deputy Prime Minister Issam Abu Jamra of the Free Patriotic Movement for the Greek Orthodox seat, Vrej Sabounjian of the Tashnaq Party for the Armenian Orthodox seat and fellow Tashnaq member Gregoire Kaloust for the Armenian Catholic seat.[22][33]

Voting

37,284 voters cast their votes in Beirut I (40.19%).[20][3] All five candidates on the March 14 list were elected.[3]

Seat Winning candidate Runner-up Margin
Armenian Catholic Serge Torsarkissian
(Hunchak)		 19,821 51.7% Gregoire Kaloust
(Tashnaq)		 16,817 45.1% 2,464
Armenian Orthodox Jean Ogassapian
(Ramgavar)		 19,317 51.8% Vrej Sabounjian
(Tashnaq)		 16,778 45% 2,539
Greek Catholic Michel Pharaon
(Future Movement)		 19,742 52.9% Nicolas Sehnaoui
(Independent)		 16,730 44.9% 3,012
Greek Orthodox Nayla Tueni
(Independent)		 19,985 53.6% Issam Abu Jamra
(Free Patriotic Movement)		 16,421 44% 3,564
Maronite Nadim Gemayel
(Kataeb)		 19,340 51.9% Massoud Achkar
(Independent)		 17,209 46.1% 2,131

Only for the Greek Orthodox seat was there a third candidate with more than 13 votes; Georges Christoforeides who got 177 votes (0.47%).[34] There were 201 invalid ballots and 183 blank ballots.[3]

2018

2017 Vote Law

As per the new Vote Law adopted by parliament on June 16, 2017, the electoral districts of Beirut were reorganized. The old Beirut I district merged with the Medawar quartier (previously in Beirut II), the new district retaining the name 'Beirut I'.[35][36] The new Beirut I district received the two Armenian Orthodox seats of the former Beirut II district, whilst the Minorities seat was shifted from the Muslim-domonated Beirut III district to the new Beirut I district.[35][36]

Election

Ahead of the 2018 Lebanese general election, 5 lists were registered in the Beirut I electoral district.[37] After the split between the Future Movement and the Lebanese Forces, a joint list of the Free Patriotic Movement, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Tashnaq) and the Hunchaks was conceived ("Strong Beirut I") supported by the Future Movement.[38] The Future Movement itself, however, stayed aloof from fielding candidates.[39] The Lebanese Forces, together with the Kataeb Party, Ramgavars and Michel Pharaon, and with support from Antoun Sehnaoui, fielded their list under the label "Beirut I".[38][40] Michelle Tueni fielded a third list, "We Are Beirut", being joined by incumbent Future MP Serge Torsarkissian.[39]

For the Minorities seat the FPM fielded a Syriac Orthodox candidate, former Brigadier General Antoine Pano, whilst the Tueni list included Latin Catholic candidate Rafic Bazerji, an independent from a family historically close to the National Liberal Party.[41][42]

Result by lists

Results of the 2018 Lebanese general election in Beirut I by sub district
List Votes  % Seats Members elected Parties
"Strong Beirut I" 18,373 42.08 4 Sehnaoui, Terzian, Matossian, Pano FPM-Tashnaq-Hunchak-Union for Lebanon, supported by Future
"Beirut I" 16,772 38.41 3 Talouzian, Gemayel, Wakim LF-Kataeb-Pharaon-Ramgavar
"Kulluna Watani" 6,842 15.67 1 Yacoubian Saaba-You Stink-Sah-LiBaladi
"We are Beirut" 1,272 2.91 0 Independent
"Loyalty to Beirut" 94 0.22 0 Independent
Source:[43]

2022

The eastern part of the capital was devastated by August 4 explosion in 2020 which strongly distanced the inhabitants of these neighborhoods from the long-running political powers which gave a significant increase in popularity for opposition candidates who were running in behalf of the 17 October Revolution.[44] The Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb Party still had large population amongst Christian voters especially due to the Free Patriotic Movement's decline.

Ahead of the elections, six lists were registered in the district. After the electoral split between Nadim Gemayel and the Lebanese Forces, Nadim Gemayel was forced to create joint list of the Kataeb Party and independents such as Jean Talozian who left the Lebanese Forces Bloc.[45] The Future Movement did not nominate nor support any list after Saad Hariri's political boycott.[46] The Lebanese Forces, together with the Hunchak Party and other independents, fielded their list under the label "Beirut, Nahno Laha".[44] The Free Patriotic Movement again fielded a list with the Tashnag Party but without intention of creating a joint bloc in the Lebanese Parliament.[47] The other lists were made up of opposition candidates of the October 17 Movement which was an alliance of multiple activist organizations.[44] It included, Citizens in a State which was fielded by party leader Charbel Nahas,[48] Liwatani which was led by Palua Yacobian fielded by Tahalof Watani and ReLebanon, and the Beirut Madinati list which also competed in previous municipal elections.[44][49]

Results by list

List Votes  % Seats Members elected Parties
"Beirut, Nahno Laha" 13,220 28.55 2 Hasbani, Pakradouni LF-Hunchak
"Lubnan Al Siyada" 11,271 24.34 2 Gemayel, Talouzian Kataeb
"Kenaa w Rah Nebaa" 10,950 23.65 2 Terzian, Sehnaoui FPM-Tashnag
"LiWatani" 8,261 17.84 2 Yacoubian, Zarazir Tahalof Watani-ReLebanon
"Qadreen" 1,510 3.26 0 MMFD
"Beirut Madinati" 1,089 2.35 0 Beirut Madinati
Source:[50]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Daily Star". Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Daily Star". Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Table Attached to Law 44 dated 17/6/2017 (Official Gazette no.27 dated 17 June 2017) – Distribution of Seats to the Confessions and Districts Archived 2 February 2022 at the Wayback Machine ACE Project
  4. 1 2 دائرة بيروت الاولى Archived 2019-09-06 at the Wayback Machine. Annahar
  5. 1 2 Ermeni Haber. Beyrut seçim bölgesinde sonuçları Ermeniler belirleyecek Archived 2018-11-13 at the Wayback Machine
  6. 1 2 3 Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 161
  7. 1 2 3 4 Yitzhak Oron, Ed. (November 25, 1960). Middle East Record Volume 1, 1960. The Moshe Dayan Center. pp. 349–351. GGKEY:3KXGTYPACX2.
  8. ↑ Michael C. Hudson; Leonard Binder; Harvard University. Center for International Affairs (May 1985). The precarious republic: political modernization in Lebanon. Westview Press. p. 250. ISBN 978-0-8133-0105-1.
  9. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 135
  10. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 255
  11. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. pp. 169–171, 185
  12. ↑ Kulliyah. Vol. 40. Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut. 1964. p. 5.
  13. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. pp. 199–200
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 Zuwiyya, Jalal. The Parliamentary Election of Lebanon 1968. Leiden: Brill, 1972. pp. 13–17
  15. ↑ Zuwiyya, Jalal. The Parliamentary Election of Lebanon 1968. Leiden: Brill, 1972. p. 100
  16. ↑ Ḥevrah ha-Mizraḥit ha-Yiśreʼelit, Merkaz le-meḥḳar ʻal shem Reʼuven Shiloaḥ, and Mekhon Shiloaḥ le-ḥeḳer ha-Mizraḥ ha-tikhon ṿe-Afriḳah. Middle East Record. Tel Aviv: Israel Oriental Society, Reuven Shiloah Research Center, 1968. pp. 637
  17. ↑ Entelis, John P. Pluralism and Party Transformation in Lebanon. Al-Kataʼib, 1936–1970. Leiden: Brill, 1974. p. 91
  18. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. pp. 255–256
  19. 1 2 Imad Salamey (October 15, 2013). The Government and Politics of Lebanon. Routledge. pp. 74–75, 112–113. ISBN 978-1-135-01133-8.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 IFES. Electoral Districts in Lebanon Archived 2015-04-07 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 445
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NOW Lebanon. Districts in depth: Beirut I Archived 2016-04-17 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 450
  24. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 446
  25. ↑ European Union Election Observation Mission to Lebanon. Final Report on the 7 June 2009 Parliamentary Elections Archived 16 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 457
  27. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 481
  28. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 451-452
  29. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 465
  30. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 467
  31. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. pp. 469–470, 472–476
  32. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 477
  33. ↑ Messerlian, Zaven. Armenian Participation in the Lebanese Legislative Elections 1934–2009. Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2014. p. 468
  34. ↑ Ministry of Interior and Municipalities. Elections Result – Beirut I Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine
  35. 1 2 GulfNews. Lebanon to hold parliamentary elections in May 2018 Archived 2018-06-18 at the Wayback Machine
  36. 1 2 Daily Star. Analysts skeptical new vote law will lead to change Archived 2018-08-24 at the Wayback Machine
  37. ↑ 77 لائحة تُقصي 334 مرشحاً: لبنان إلى الانتخابات Archived 2020-09-30 at the Wayback Machine Al-Akhbar
  38. 1 2 بيروت الأولى: هل يخرق المجتمع المدني بمقعدين؟ Archived 2019-02-18 at the Wayback Machine. Al-Modon
  39. 1 2 Daily Star. East Beirut electoral field takes shape Archived 2019-02-17 at the Wayback Machine
  40. ↑ Daily Star. "Weekend electoral list announcements Archived 2019-02-17 at the Wayback Machine"
  41. ↑ L'Orient Le Jour. Rafic Bazerji : Je veux œuvrer pour les jeunes... alors que la classe politique fait le contraire Archived 2019-02-17 at the Wayback Machine
  42. ↑ L'Orient Le Jour. Antoine Pano, du champ de bataille à l’arène politique Archived 2019-02-17 at the Wayback Machine
  43. ↑ نتائج الإنتخابات النيابية العامة 2018 Archived 2018-12-27 at the Wayback Machine. Ministry of Interior and Municipalities
  44. 1 2 3 4 "Beirut I – Voting districts – Elections 2022". L'Orient Today. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  45. ↑ "Following his vote yesterday for Saad Hariri, MP Jean Talouzian, who aligns with the Lebanese Forces, told VDL (93.3) that he's not a member of the party and that if his position isn't suitable for the LF, he will be outside its bloc". L'Orient Today. October 23, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Lebanon's former PM Hariri declares boycott of elections, stepping away from politics". Al Arabiya English. January 24, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Bassil hits out at LF for losing Bsharri seat". Naharnet. May 17, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  48. ↑ "MMFD: Where did it all go wrong?". L'Orient Today. June 1, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  49. ↑ "A plethora of lists divides the opposition". L'Orient Today. April 6, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  50. ↑ "Elections 2022 – مجموع أصوات المرشحين بحسب الدوائر لعام 2022". elections.gov.lb. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
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