Word: lebanon
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Numerous Lebanese are facing a difficult choice in the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place on June 7. According to the New York Times, donors from across the globe are pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into Lebanon in order to impact the elections. The Saudi Arabian government is involved, with an aim to buy votes in support of the election of Saad Hariri and his allies. For the average voter that could mean $800 or so in exchange for a vote—not to mention the dignity, free speech, and political rights that could also be taken...
...free in order for representative government to function. An official from the Saudi Arabian government justified the use of such dubious techniques as a way to oppose Iranian influence—as Iran has funded Hezbollah, a militant Shi’a group in the south of Lebanon...
...Ironically, though, these backhanded techniques are also a testament to how far democracy has come in Lebanon. In order to influence the election result, Saudi Arabia has had to directly address the citizens of Lebanon. In earlier decades, just a few big backroom deals behind closed doors might have done...
...Today electoral power now more clearly rests with the people of Lebanon. Nevertheless, we urge foreign powers to respect the autonomy of Lebanon and the true electoral desires of Lebanese voters...
...Overall we hope to see a free and democratic election in Lebanon that truly represents the choice of its voters. We encourage the Lebanese to refuse the purchase deals and chose their candidate independently—or perhaps, as one Lebanese artist turned candidate put it, “Take the money and vote against them...