In May 2025, Lebanon finally held its municipal elections after a three‑year postponement and nine years since the last local election. The vote was staged in 1,065 municipalities across four phases.

LIMS has warned that without these elections many councils will remain inactive, stalling crucial services and economic development at the community level. Municipalities can become the frontline of economic policy if they work on mobilizing private capital to tackle the electricity crisis, outsource waste management, and boost tourism.

In the south of Lebanon – a region that has long been earmarked for reconstruction yet remains starved of funding – such private‑sector engagement could accelerate the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure, from water supply to waste disposal. The private sector investment model offers an effective alternative in the absence of state resources.

However, LIMS cautioned against repeating past patterns where local elections are dominated by political allegiances and family ties rather than performance metrics and accountability. Candidates should present concrete development plans, and voters must prioritize those capable of delivering positive economic results for their municipalities—while holding non-performers accountable, regardless of party affiliation.

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