Despite the fact that many doubt that they will even be held, Lebanon’s presidential elections are slated to take place on October 31st, 2022. Election is a strong word for what occurs in Lebanon as warlords, politicians, and parliamentarians often reach pre-approved agreements on who earns the seat before ever holding a vote.
Regardless, this year, two women, Tracy Chamoun and May Rihani, have announced their candidacy. Lebanon’s first-ever female candidate was Nadine Moussa in 2014, a time that marked the beginning of the 2-year presidential vacuum.
Here’s what we know about the two female candidates:
Tracy Chamoun
A former Ambassador to Jordan and granddaughter of former president Camille Chamoun, Tracy Chamoun was the first woman to join the 2022 presidential race. Her first book “Au Nom Du Père”, which recounts her experience during the Lebanese Civil War and highlights her relationship with her late father, was awarded the prestigious Prix Verite in 1991.
Coming from a family of politicians, Chamoun claims to have an overall understanding of the political playground in Lebanon. During a press conference held in August, she promised to stand in the face of Lebanon’s “feudal political system” and work towards “a modern democracy”.
