Lebanon prepares for by-election in West Bekaa

Political parties in Lebanon are recalibrating their strategies ahead of a scheduled by-election in West Bekaa to fill the Orthodox parliamentary seat left vacant by the death of MP Ghassan Skaff. The necessity of the election has been emphasized by President Joseph Aoun and supported by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.

The contest is shaping up to be a significant political battle between potential candidates Elie al-Ferzli and Maysam Younis Skaff, the widow of the late MP. Al-Ferzli reportedly maintains connections with the Amal Movement and Hezbollah, while also seeking rapport with the Future Movement.

Maysam Skaff may leverage her late husband's political legacy to attract Christian political forces and elements of the former March 14 alliance. The outcome of the election may depend on the ability of various factions to form alliances and navigate existing political rivalries, such as the friction between al-Ferzli and Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil.