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3. Future Movement Eyeing Municipal and General Polls with or Without Saad Hariri

The Future Movement, which had suspended its participation in Lebanon’s political life three years ago, will be taking part in the upcoming municipal elections slated for May and the general elections next year, according to a party official.

However, the movement’s leader, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, may not be running for a seat in parliament, depending on a settlement of his strained relations with Saudi Arabia, the longtime supporter of his late father.

In case there is no thaw in his relations with Riyadh before the elections, Hariri’s aunt, MP Bahia Hariri, and her son Ahmad Hariri, the Movement’s secretary general, would run in Beirut and Saida respectively, while Bahia would assume the presidency of the bloc.

Sources close to Bahia underline that her candidature has not yet been confirmed, pending Saad’s final decision about participating in the legislative elections. However, the participation of the Movement as such has been confirmed.

Bahia is expected to visit Abu Dhabi soon for a meeting with Saad to put the final touches on the Movement’s participation in municipal elections in more than one area, including Tripoli, Akkar, the Beqaa and Beirut. Hariri will seek an agreement with the leaders of the Sunni community in Beirut on a list of candidates to ensure broad representation in the municipal council.

A party committee will be set up to receive the candidacy of those wishing to run in the elections on the Future Movement’s lists, to filter eligible names and agree on the final lists.