The 2025 Beirut Bar Association (BBA) elections ended with a striking upset on Sunday as Imad Martinos, backed by the Lebanese Forces (LF), won the presidency in a highly competitive vote marked by record turnout and unusually heavy political involvement.
Imad Martinos © Mena Today
The 2025 Beirut Bar Association (BBA) elections ended with a striking upset on Sunday as Imad Martinos, backed by the Lebanese Forces (LF), won the presidency in a highly competitive vote marked by record turnout and unusually heavy political involvement.
More than 5,000 lawyers voted — the highest participation in years — prompting election officials to extend polling hours. Martinos led the first round with 3,010 votes to Elie Bazerli’s 2,778, then secured the presidency in the second round with 2,416 to 2,042.
Bazerli, officially independent, was supported by an expansive coalition including the Kataeb, Hezbollah–Amal, the Future Movement, the Progressive Socialist Party, and, on election day, the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM). Despite this broad backing, Martinos maintained a firm lead.
Council Results: LF Dominates, All Seats Go to Christians
Six council members were elected along with an alternate:
• Marwan Jabre (independent, LF-supported) – 2,559
• Maurice Gemayel (Kataeb) – 1,996
• Nadim Hamadeh (independent, LF/PSP-backed) – 1,852
• Elie Hashash (LF) – 1,798
• Georges Yazbeck (independent, LF-supported) – 1,784
• Wajih Massaad (independent) – 1,784
• Wassim Abou Tayeh (FPM – alternate) – 1,751
Notably, all elected seats, including the presidency, went to Christian candidates, with no Muslim lawyer winning a seat, an outcome fueling debate about representation.
Why This Election Mattered More Than Usual
Because the 2024 elections were cancelled due to the Hezbollah–Israel war, double the usual number of seats were up for election.
Roughly 7,700 eligible lawyers voted for eight positions out of 20 candidates. Intense mobilization by political parties drove turnout, with some lawyers criticizing the reliance on alliances and lavish campaign events rather than substantive debate.
Martinos’ Message: Independence and Reform
In his victory address, Martinos promised a more proactive Bar Association, committing to a general assembly within two months, a transparent audit, and efforts to revive stalled internal processes. He emphasized that the results showed many lawyers “did not follow party instructions,” calling this a sign of professional independence.
The LF’s sweeping success, despite a coalition of nearly every other major party backing Bazerli, suggests shifting political momentum within Lebanon’s professional class. The unprecedented all-Christian sweep adds a sensitive layer, raising questions about representation even in a non-sectarian professional vote.
How the new council handles reform and whether this election reflects broader national political shifts will be closely watched in the months ahead.
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