Disclaimer: This is information only, we are not endorsing any list or candidate, for a wider overview of the lists please check the following: Daleel Al Thawra, The Lebanese Diaspora Network, United Diaspora LB
BEIRUT 2 DISTRICT: INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES
Number of Registered Voters in Lebanon 2021: 344,561
Number of Registered Voters in Diaspora 2021: 26,459
Voter Turnout 2018: 41.82%
TOTAL: 11 seats | Greek Orthodox (1 seat) | Evangelical (1 seat) | Sunni (6 seats) | Shia (2 seats) | Druze (1 seat)
Beirut – The Change
Melhem Khalaf –
ملحم خلف
Seat: Greek Orthodox
Melhem Khalaf was born in Ras Beirut in 1962. He preaches honesty, implementing democracy by practicing your right to vote, and belonging to Lebanon before belonging to any region or religion. Khalaf received a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Montpellier I in France and an LLM in Private Law from Saint Joseph University (SJU). He is a lecturer and the Director of the Law and Computer Department at SJU. He is the Managing Partner of the Khalaf Law Firm, which launched a Community Social Responsibility initiative to help underprivileged members of society. Khalaf is also the President of the Beirut Bar Association, a Red Cross first-aid volunteer, the co-founder of Offrejoie, and the Vice-Chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. If elected, he will use his three core values, faith—love, respect, and forgiveness, as tools to restore Lebanon. Ultimately, he wants to achieve the revolution’s dreams.
“I am a citizen serving the people.”
Samah Halwany –
سماح حلواني
Political Affiliation: Beirut Resists – بيروت تقاوم
Seat: Sunni
Samah Halwany is a consultant in conflict analysis, strategic planning, and peacebuilding in the MENA region. She’s an expert in the sociology of conflict and international security and has worked with local and international agencies for over 15 years. Halwany is an academic researcher and advocate for humanitarian issues, social justice, and peacebuilding.
“Our crisis is not an economic crisis. Rather, it is a sociopolitical crisis bred into Lebanon and infused into our daily practices.”
Nuhad Yazbik –
نهاد يزبك
Political Affiliation: Beirut Resists – بيروت تقاوم
Seat: Evangelical
Nuhad Yazbik is a Professor of Nursing at the American University of Beirut and a researcher of health affairs. She received a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Colorado. Yazbik is a member of the National Association for Healthcare Quality, NYU UNICEF WHO, and the secular club in Ras Beirut. She was the President of the Order of the Nurses in Lebanon and a member of the “Kelna Beirut” campaign in the 2018 Parliamentary Elections. If elected, she aims to provide healthcare for all Lebanese, improve quality care in hospitals, reduce the financial burden on the Ministry of Public Health, and upskill healthcare employees.
Hani Al Ahmadieh –
هاني الاحمدية
Political Affiliation: Tahalof Watani
Seat: Druze
Political Cluster: نداء ١٣ نيسان
Hani Al Ahmadieh was born in Sawfar, Mont-Liban. For the past 20 years, he has owned a Criminal Defense law firm, Ahmadieh Law Office. He attended the Lebanese University and is the father of two kids. Ahmadieh believes that the only solution to the crisis is through the active participation of all Lebanese, home and abroad, in the revolution and reformation of the country.
“Democratic change remains the available gateway to re-establish power through effective participation in the upcoming elections.”
“No voice is louder than the voice of the people.”
Fatmé Mouchref –
فاطمة مشرف
Political Affiliation: Sabaa – سبعة
Seat: Sunni
Fatmé Mouchref is a political and social activist who ran for a seat in the 2018 Parliamentary Election. She is the Vice President of the legislative council “Sabaa,” an organization that has “designed a new state-of-the-art platform to help develop organized political action.” She is also a certified anti-corruption director. Mouchref is a Professor and the Head of the School of Dentistry at the Lebanese University. She received a Ph.D. in Medical Science with a focus on periodontology from the Lebanese University and is the former President of the Lebanese Society of Periodontology.
Ibrahim Mneimneh –
ابراهيم منيمنه
Political Affiliation: Beirut Resists – بيروت تقاوم
Seat: Sunni
Political Cluster: Madinati
Ibrahim Mneimneh was born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is an architect and urban designer across the Middle East and Central Asia, specializing in sustainable projects. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the Beirut Arab University and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning for the American University of Beirut. Mneimneh played a role in creating several anti-regime and anti-sectarian political parties. He is a founding member of “Beirut Madinati” whom he ran under in the 2016 Municipality Elections and of “Kelna Beirut” whom he ran under in the 2018 Parliamentary Elections. Mneimneh is an advocate for human rights and aims to establish a civil state founded on a democratic economy and socio-economic justice. He wants to create solidarity among the people, mobilize citizens, restore life in Beirut, and for the current authorities to take accountability.
Iman Tabbara –
ايمان طباره
Political Affiliation: National Bloc
Seat: Sunni
Iman Tabbara is a managing partner at Tabbara Law Firm and a highly experienced Attorney at Law and Legal Consultant. She works between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon and specializes in Business Law and Litigation. Tabbara aspires to motivate people to exercise their right to vote. She understands that struggles exist for every Lebanese regardless of their background. If elected, she aims to ensure the proper implementation of the law and the constitution to ensure a decent and dignified life for every citizen. She will produce a clear economic plan to benefit all Lebanese and work to eradicate the desperate need for food, water, fuel, medicine, and healthcare.
“We are at a stage where we do not need leaders. The people are the source of authority, not the leaders!”
“Involvement in public affairs has become a duty, not an option. Every citizen must participate in the democratic process as your vote will determine your fate.”
Waddah El Sadek –
وضاح الصادق
Political Affiliation: Khat Ahmar
Seat: Sunni
Political Cluster: Lebanese Opposition Front
Waddah El Sadek started a TV business in the 1990s with Al-Jadid TV. He then established and headed the Sports Department of Future TV. He founded an advertising company in 1997 in Beirut and other Arab capitals. Today, his company is one of the most prominent media companies in the Arab world. He’s done advertising campaigns for many Arab leaders, including Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Sadek helped establish the “Khat Ahmar” campaign, a key player in the October 17 revolution.
“Beirut Municipality and its president bear the responsibility of exposing Lebanese to death daily.”
Rushdi Kabbani –
رشدي قباني
Political Affiliation: Beirut Revolutionaries (ثوار بيروت)
Seat: Sunni
Political Cluster: نداء ١٣ نيسان
Rushdi Kabbani was born in Turkey. He is the Managing Partner of Propaganda, a creative brand consultancy. He received a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies from Makassed University and a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Visual Communication from Notre Dame University. He believes that corruption, destruction, and killing are at the root of the crisis and that the Lebanese must advocate for the truth together.
“In the way that our voices are united in the revolution, let them be united in the ballot boxes.”
Mahmoud Fakih –
محمود فقيه
Political Affiliation: Tahalof Watani
Seat: Shia
Political Cluster: نداء ١٣ نيسان
Mahmoud Fakih is a journalist at Annahar News. He received degrees in Tenurial Business and Business Management in Paris and a degree in Journalism from the Lebanese University. He believes that Parliament is at the root of change. Fakih wants to fulfill the principles of the revolution and ensure the affordability of healthcare, housing, and education. He hopes to alleviate the burdens that the elderly carry and afford them a peaceful life. Fakih preaches that a civil and free state is only achievable through new governmental leaders.
“Beirut is the capital and should not see its residents lose power or its students have their rights compromised.”
“We need a new voice that rebuilds and transforms our country.”
Ali Abbas –
علي عباس
Political Affiliation: Marsad Chaabeh – المرصد الشعبي لمحاربة الفساد
Seat: Shia
Political Cluster: نداء ١٣ نيسان
Ali Abbas is a lawyer and environmental activist. He believes that having a healthy environment with natural resources is vital to Lebanon’s survival. Abbas opposed the Bisri Dam project and believes that the Lebanese process of logging and distributing trees is an environmental crime. He argues that this process should be structured and institutionalized by the government.
“We are waging a confrontation during the parliamentary elections in all electoral districts, bearing a single and clear governance project, an alternative to a coalition of sects and money leaders, that simulates the people’s concerns and their actual reality.”
Qadreen
Hadi Al Hosni –
هادي الحصني
Political Affiliation: MMFD – مواطنون ومواطنات في دولة
Seat: Evangelical
If elected, Hadi Hosni aims to shift from a state of sectarianism to a single cohesive society. He believes that crises are an opportunity to change regimes and that political order is necessary to reach the desired change. He relays four key points:
- The circulation of money is vital for Lebanon to thrive
- A mass exodus of citizens from the country will promote its failure
- If we don’t make the necessary changes now, we will have no resources, and violence could arise.
- “We need to help the people now. We are in a war against time.”
“There is no alternative but to scream for change.”
Wiam Dalal –
وئام دلال
Political Affiliation: MMFD – مواطنون ومواطنات في دولة
Seat: Druze
Alexi Al Haddad –
الكسي الحداد
Political Affiliation: MMFD – مواطنون ومواطنات في دولة
Seat: Greek Orthodox
Alexi Haddad is an administrator of Internal Political Relations in Lebanon for the “MMFD.” He supports non-sectarianism since he believes it is at the root of the country’s divide. He says that it is the right of the people to get their money and to live in a just state. If elected, he wants to go from house to house and hear the needs of the people.
“Justice does not exist in Lebanon.”
Omar Sabra –
عمر صبره
Political Affiliation: MMFD – مواطنون ومواطنات في دولة
Seat: Sunni
Omar Sabra lived outside Lebanon for eight years and returned two years ago to stand by his family and the Lebanese people throughout the crisis. He believes that to build something, you must improve the infrastructure since each component is interrelated. “Without a foundation, you cannot build a career or family.” He says the crisis is threatening our basic needs and ability to build a life. He argues that the current government does not have a foundation since no authorities are helping the people create a future. Sabra aims to make Lebanon a functional society.
Mohamad Nasser –
محمد ناصر
Political Affiliation: MMFD – مواطنون ومواطنات في دولة
Seat: Shia
Mohamad Nasser aims to eradicate sectarianism. He removed his religion from his registration record and thus applied for candidacy without a sectarian affiliation. However, the council opposed his candidacy. Nasser filed an appeal before the Administrative Judiciary and proved that the constitution allows him to run in the elections without a sectarian affiliation. Nasser believes that sectarian affiliation must be an individual’s choice and not a condition of citizenship.
Ali Shiran –
علي شيران
Political Affiliation: MMFD – مواطنون ومواطنات في دولة
Seat: Shia