Iyad Georges Boustany at Budapest Conference: Federalism is best solution to preserve diverse Lebanon

BUDAPEST — At a recent international conference held in Budapest, Iyad Georges Boustany, a Lebanese writer, financial expert, and advocate for federalism, stressed the necessity of adopting a federal system to protect Lebanon’s Christian population. Boustany warned that without structural reforms, the Christian community in Lebanon could face a significant decline within the next two to three decades.

Platform for Christian Advocacy

The inaugural International Conference of the Fund for Lebanese Christians convened in Budapest, Hungary, bringing together prominent Christian leaders and intellectuals to discuss the challenges facing Lebanon’s Christian community. The event highlighted practical initiatives to support the Christian populace, including a proposed international fund aiming to raise approximately $200 million.

Boustani’s Call for Federalism

During the conference, Boustany advocated federalism as the best solution to safeguard Lebanon’s Christians. He warned that without a federal structure, the active presence of Christians in Lebanon could diminish significantly within 20 to 30 years.

Christian Political Voices

The Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP) was among the leading Christian political organizations supporting structural reforms at the conference. Represented by Dr. Amine Iskandar, the party endorsed federalism as a means to protect Lebanon’s Christian communities. In his address, Iskandar emphasized the need for a new political framework to secure Christian rights and ensure equitable representation in Lebanon’s governance.

Other notable figures included Alfred Riachi, Secretary-General of the Permanent Conference for Federalism in Lebanon, who joined the discussions. Their collective stance reflects a growing consensus within Christian political circles for federalist reforms to protect their community’s future.

New Social Contract: Role of Christian Leadership

Boustany urged the Syriac Maronite Patriarchate and Christian political parties to convene at Beth Kerke (Bkerke), the Patriarchate’s seat, to develop a new social contract for Lebanon. He highlighted the importance of seeking Western support to negotiate a new framework, arguing that the current constitutional system fails to address the aspirations and security needs of the Christian community.

International Support and Need for Clear Political Vision

The Budapest Conference revealed a critical gap in political leadership and its neglect of the populace’s struggles. Boustany expressed surprise at the support shown by the Hungarian government, the United States, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, he emphasized that financial aid alone is insufficient without a clear and actionable political project, asserting that structural reform is essential for Lebanon’s Christians to thrive.

Path Forward

Discussions at the Budapest Conference underscored the urgency of addressing the existential challenges facing Lebanon’s Christian community. Boustani’s advocacy for federalism signals a growing momentum among Christian leaders to pursue political reforms that will ensure their survival and prosperity in Lebanon’s diverse society.