November 15, 2026
The results of the Beirut Bar Association elections carry implications that go beyond winning the four seats, confirming that the electoral body chose its representatives according to its personal convictions, far from the full influence of party alliances.
Lawyer Elie Qalimos topped the results by obtaining 1,819 votes, followed by the Free Patriotic Movement candidate, Wassim Bou Taya, with 1,716 votes, then Maya Shehab, with 1,628 votes, and Wissam Eid, supported by the Shiite duo, with 1,461 votes, in a result that returned Shiite representation to the union council for the first time since 2017.
On the other hand, the Lebanese Forces and Phalange parties suffered a resounding failure represented by the fall of their candidates. Elie Kazan received 1,328 votes, and Riad Al-Shediac received 1,251 votes. Despite the success of Qalimos and Shehab, who ran in the race on a joint list that included candidates from both parties, the fall of Al-Shidyaq and Kazan proved that the electoral coalition was unable to secure seats for the “Forces” and “Phalange” candidates.
This loss was mainly attributed to the lack of mutual trust between the two parties, and weak coordination and exchange of votes between them, which cast a negative shadow on the final results.
In the political reading of the scene, the elections represented a clear message of rejection of the policies of imposing choices and attempts to protect lawyers. The members of the union demonstrated national awareness and complete independence in voting, adhering to the charter character of the union and considering that the honorable profession is governed by consciences and not by the canned regulations that the political forces sought to impose in vain.
