Hariri indicates the Future Movement’s re-entry into Lebanon’s elections
Saad al-Hariri, the former Prime Minister of Lebanon and a prominent figure in the nation’s political landscape, announced on Saturday that his party plans to participate in the upcoming elections, four years after he withdrew from public office.
During a speech commemorating the 21st anniversary of his father Rafik’s assassination, who also served as prime minister, Saad addressed supporters in Beirut, asserting that others would “hear our voice, and count our votes” during the upcoming elections.
It remains uncertain if Hariri intends to run himself, though he continues to enjoy significant popularity among Lebanon’s Sunni Muslims. Large crowds assembled in Martyrs Square in Beirut, waving the party’s flag and calling out his name. “You are not just a few, and you never have been,” Hariri addressed his supporters.
Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri announced on Friday that elections will proceed as planned on May 10, despite requests from certain politicians to delay the vote, partly due to security issues in southern Lebanon, where Israel has conducted air strikes aimed at the militant group Hezbollah.
Hariri, a three-time former premier, withdrew from politics in 2022 and prevented his Future Movement from participating in that year’s parliamentary election, citing factors such as Iran’s influence in the country—an indirect allusion to Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, the Shi’ite Muslim group, had increasingly influenced Lebanon’s internal politics, but suffered significant setbacks following a conflict with Israel in 2024. It is currently facing U.S.-backed pressure to disarm following a ceasefire in late 2024.
Prior to his withdrawal from politics, Hariri headed one of the largest factions in parliament, having taken on his father’s legacy.
The absence of His Future Movement from Lebanon’s 2022 parliamentary election led to a fragmented representation of Sunni Muslims in parliament, where seats are allocated based on a sectarian quota system.
