Lebanon today stands at a turning point in its history. After years of economic collapse, political paralysis and the corrosive dominance of the Iranian-backed party and armed paramilitary group Hezbollah, the country faces a stark choice: Seize the chance to reclaim its sovereignty and democratic promise or remain hostage to Hezbollah’s weapons and Iran’s influence.

The upcoming parliamentary elections, expected to be held in May, will not just be another contest for seats; they will be a test of whether Lebanon’s people, at home and abroad, can assert control over their own destiny.

One decisive step Lebanon can take is to guarantee full voting rights for its diaspora. Millions of Lebanese abroad remain closely tied to their homeland — supporting families through remittances, investing in businesses and advocating for Lebanon internationally. Yet under the 2017 electoral law, the diaspora is treated as a separate constituency with only six reserved parliamentary seats out of a total of 128.

In other words, instead of voting for candidates in their original home districts, like residents do, millions of Lebanese abroad are restricted to electing just six members of Parliament from around the world.

In 2018 and 2022, that rule was temporarily set aside, and expatriate votes were counted in their home constituencies. But unless the law is amended, the six-seat limit will return in 2026, cutting the diaspora’s political influence........

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