Politics

Crisis-plagued Lebanon votes in parliamentary elections

Beirut, May 15 (EFE).- Lebanese voters headed to the polls on Sunday to elect a new 128-member parliament as the country struggles with severe economic depression.

More than 3.7 million people are eligible to vote in the parliamentary election, the first since mass protests swept the country in 2019 and a deadly explosion devastated Beirut port a year later, killing over 200 people.

People stood in long lines to cast their ballots at polling stations across the country from 7 am amid a heavy security presence.

The process has been peaceful so far, a military official told Efe, on condition of anonymity.

The elections also come amid a devastating economic crisis, which has gripped the country since the end of 2019, pushed almost 80% of the population below the poverty line and caused the Lebanese pound to lose more than 90% of its value.

Voter Mark Keserweini, 39, told Efe he was unhappy with what many see as a corrupt ruling political class, adding he was voting hoping to see change.

“Do you want to let these leaders stay? Do you want them to stay in power after everything that has happened and everything they did? (…) There is no more economy or fuel, and electricity comes one hour a day,” he said waiting in line outside a polling station.

Official results are expected by Monday.EFE

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