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Lebanese Republic | |
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Polity type | Unitary parliamentary republic democratic republic |
Constitution | Constitution of Lebanon |
Legislative branch | |
Name | Parliament of Lebanon |
Type | Unicameral |
Meeting place | Parliament Building in Beirut |
Presiding officer | Nabih Berri, Speaker |
Executive branch | |
Head of state | |
Title | President |
Currently | Vacant |
Appointer | Elected by Parliament |
Head of government | |
Title | Prime Minister |
Currently | Najib Mikati |
Appointer | President, on parliament’s advice |
Cabinet | |
Name | Council of Ministers |
Leader | Prime Minister |
Appointer | The Prime Minister with the President |
Judicial branch | |
Name | Judicial branch |
Member State of the Arab League |
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Lebanon is a parliamentary democratic republic within the overall framework of confessionalism, a form of consociationalism in which the highest offices are proportionately reserved for representatives from certain religious communities. The constitution of Lebanon grants the people the right to change their government. However, from the mid-1970s until the parliamentary elections in 1992, the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990) precluded the exercise of political rights.
According to the constitution, direct elections must be held for the parliament every four years. However, after the parliamentary election in 2009[1] another election was not held until 2018. The Parliament elects a president every six years to a single term. The president is not eligible for re-election. The last presidential election was in 2016. The president and parliament choose the prime minister.
Political parties may be formed. Most are based on sectarian interests. 2008 saw a new twist to Lebanese politics when the Doha Agreement set a new trend where the opposition is allowed a veto power in the Council of Ministers and confirmed religious confessionalism in the distribution of political power.