Nawaf Salam’s government wins the backing of 95 lawmakers in the 128-seat parliament.
Published On 26 Feb 2025
Lebanon’s new government has won a confidence vote in parliament, following a speech by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam promising to push for economic reforms and to start negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
Salam’s government won the backing of 95 lawmakers in the 128-seat chamber late on Wednesday.
Lebanon’s political landscape has been overturned since Hezbollah, long a dominant player in Lebanese politics, was badly pummeled in last year’s war with Israel.
The new government’s policy statement, as such, did not include language used in previous years that was seen as legitimising a role for Hezbollah in defending Lebanon.
“We want a state that holds the exclusive authority over decisions on war and peace, a state loyal to the constitution and national accord ensuring the implementation of unfulfilled provisions,” Salam said before parliament.
On Tuesday, Hezbollah had given its backing to the government in a speech delivered by senior Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammed Raad.
“We will work on removing Lebanon from the grey list and start negotiations with the International Monetary Fund,” Salam said before the vote. “We will put depositors at the top of our priorities.”
Lebanon’s new administration is made up of political outsiders and presente