The municipal elections in Tyre (صور) are shaping up to be, at the very least, “different from the previous ones.” In the past, lists were formed in opposition to each other, with the notable victory often being that of the “duo list.” This is pointed out by Haseeb Oda, a Ph.D. in sciences and an MBA holder, and a candidate representing the “Sour Madiniti” list.
As for endorsements, they were absent in Tyre and other towns like Ma’arka, but were present in towns like Al-Jibbin, Al-Zaloutiya, Al-Kniseh, Al-Nafakhieh, Al-Hanieh, and Bitheiyyeh.
The most notable absence was the lack of female faces participating in these elections within the Tyre district. The total number of candidates reached 1,294 for the 834 municipal seats. When discussing development, including local economics, it was clear that programs from independent candidates, such as in Tyre city or in other towns like Ma’arka, focused on this as a new feature in the competition.
Sour Madiniti
In an interview with Silat Wassel, Dr. Haseeb Oda talks about the distinctive atmosphere surrounding the preparation for the upcoming municipal elections, expected to take place on May 24. He points out that this atmosphere is different from previous ones, where a list was formed by the “duo,” countered by an opposing list to the first one.
This year, there are no opposing candidates. What has happened instead is that independent individuals with skills and experience have joined a single list, “Sour Madinati” (My City of Sour), which is made up of 10 people with no political background. This is a first-time occurrence in the city of Sour.
In contrast to the atmosphere in Sour, specifically in the town of Maarka, “the barrier of people’s reluctance to run for municipal elections has been broken, due to pressure to either not run or withdraw candidacies after they were announced,” says Hassan Hijazi, a pharmacist and candidate for the independent list in Maarka called “For a Better Tomorrow,” with the slogan “Development starts with partnership.”
In the town of Ma`arka, the barrier of people's reluctance to run for municipal elections was broken due to pressure either to not run or to withdraw their candidacy after it had been announced.
The list includes intellectuals and professionals in fields such as medicine and engineering. Breaking the barrier of reluctance to run for office, according to social and political activist Dr. Hatim Halaoui, a former candidate in the 2020 parliamentary elections for the district of Sour, is a significant effort. They managed to form a list of 10 people, although the list is incomplete as it was supposed to include 21 candidates.
He adds, “We faced difficulties in nominating individuals, but through the efforts of the candidates themselves, we were able to form the list. The independent candidates have a developmental vision and a work plan, with no political backgrounds.”
Halaoui emphasizes that the collective effort was made to take a stance in the city. Whether the list wins or one seat is lost, registering the stance will make those who enter the municipality feel that someone will hold them accountable and monitor them, thus improving municipal work in this framework.
As for the endorsement, it was present in several towns in the Tyre district, but absent in others like Ma’araka. Dr. Hassan Hajjazi, in a statement to “Silat Wassel,” said the conditions were ripe for endorsement, but due to a vertical division in the opposing list, a preference emerged for the former mayor and four former members. This led to the inclusion of several other people at the expense of successful and intellectual members of the Amal Movement, which resulted in a new electoral event with no endorsement remaining.
Women in the Election: Presence and Absence
Women candidates for the municipal elections in the Tyre district are present in modest numbers compared to the large number of male candidates. This can be attributed to the pressures exerted on female candidates aspiring to secure municipal seats, according to Dr. Hassan Hajjazi, a candidate in the town of Ma’araka.
Hajjazi says, “The independent list in Ma’araka included two women, but after a few days, one withdrew, leaving only one woman remaining as a candidate for the municipal elections on this list.” He attributes this to the pressures exerted on these candidates, “sometimes with nice words, and other times with less kind words.”
Despite the growing presence of women, they have not fully assumed their role, even though it increases day by day. Women should be given a role, even if partial, especially in the realm of municipal work and society in general.
For her part, Mona Khalil Yahya, a private school teacher and candidate on the “Sour Madinati” list, noted that women have not yet fully assumed their role, despite it growing day by day. She added, “Women should be given a role, even if partial. I do not mean an equal share, but this role is particularly important in municipal work and society in general.”
Electoral Program Content
Regarding the programs presented in the city of Tyre, Dr. Haseeb Ouda said that the independent list “Sour Madinati” includes five key points in its program, compared to a competing list without any electoral program.
The “Sour Madinati” program focuses on areas such as encouraging investments and tourism in the city, supporting local markets, handicrafts, and investing in small and medium-sized enterprises.
The independent list “Sour Madinati” includes five main points in its program, while a competing list has no electoral program.
Regarding the issue of waste that Tyre is suffering from, the program focuses on working on waste separation at the source in partnership with the town’s residents, solving the sewage problem, and the necessity of establishing a model municipal health center in cooperation with relevant authorities.
The program also addresses the preservation of the city’s heritage and identity by revitalizing the old neighborhoods and turning them into cultural and tourist destinations. It emphasizes the need to support public schools and to establish literary and artistic workshops to solidify Tyre as a city of culture and life.
As for the protection of public property, Dr. Haseeb Ouda points out the ongoing violations, the latest of which was in the Tyre Nature Reserve, where an illegal project was found and confronted.
As for other towns in the Tyre district, such as the program of the independent list in the town of Ma’arakeh, its electoral program focuses on improving the quality of life in the town by establishing a public transportation network to connect neighborhoods with each other and reach vital centers, and working on operating electric vehicles.
The program also focuses on supporting the agricultural sector and the beekeeping industry. Ma’arakeh, in particular, has been a center for scientific research in beekeeping, where the Nosema Cerana pest was discovered in Lebanon. A successful treatment for it was proposed, along with the production and distribution of medication for combating varroa, the Totshka medication.
Additionally, the program emphasizes waste management by organizing waste separation and linking it to incentives for the town’s residents. It also addresses the issue of non-separated waste and capitalizes on the existence of a proposed law that encourages municipalities to recover part of the cost of waste management through incentive-based and organized methods.
The aforementioned programs presented by the independent lists revolve around the need for local economic development, which requires encouraging community participation in decision-making, as well as working on the growth of investments and funds that contribute to its achievement. It also highlights the importance of attracting funds from expatriates based on trust in the municipal council, as noted in the Ma’arakeh election program for 2025.
The 2025 Tyre municipal elections show a notable shift in the local electoral scene, with the emergence of independent lists and a decline in the practice of political endorsements in some areas. This is accompanied by efforts to break the monopoly of traditional political forces.
Despite the challenges, particularly the underrepresentation of women and the pressures faced by independent candidates, the new municipal movement reflects a genuine desire among many activists and citizens to bring about meaningful change that addresses the daily concerns of the people and prioritizes sustainable development. Will these elections mark a turning point toward more representative, efficient, and accountable municipalities? The coming days will provide the answer.
