Dr. Amine Iskandar advocates federalism as Lebanon’s path to stability and progress

BEIRUT — Dr. Amine Iskandar, Director of the Political and Cultural Academy of the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP), has called for the urgent implementation of a federal system in Lebanon, emphasizing its necessity for addressing the country’s ongoing political and economic crises.

Case for Federal Lebanon

In a televised interview on MTV Lebanon, Dr. Iskandar outlined the failures of Lebanon’s centralized system, which he argued has led to political dysfunction and sectarian exploitation of ministerial positions. This quota-based system, he said, perpetuates state collapse and prevents effective governance, leaving Lebanon’s infrastructure in disarray.

Regarding Lebanon’s prolonged political and economic isolation, Dr. Iskandar blamed both internal and external factors for what he described as the country’s “prison-like” state. He highlighted deteriorating relations with Gulf states and the closure of airports as critical issues. Stressing the need for renewed ties with the Arab world and international community, he called for decisive steps to break Lebanon’s diplomatic and economic stagnation.

Budapest Conference

Dr. Iskandar also discussed the recent conference on Lebanese Christians held in Budapest, Hungary. The event focused on creating a support fund for Lebanon’s Christian community and exploring future infrastructure reforms, governance challenges, and a unified Christian political project. He noted that the conference sought insights from Beth Kerke (Bkerke), the seat of the Maronite Patriarchate, and Christian political leaders on ensuring the stability and longevity of Lebanon’s Christian presence.

(De)Centralization

Addressing the broader governance issue, Dr. Iskandar argued that municipal elections are more significant for Lebanon’s future than national elections. He drew on the Vatican’s social doctrine to advocate for a bottom-up governance model, where decision-making begins with the people, leading to better policy outcomes. This approach, he said, contrasts sharply with Lebanon’s centralized system, which imposes decisions from the top down without adequate consideration for the population’s needs.

Dr. Iskandar reaffirmed his belief that federalism is Lebanon’s only viable path forward. He urged the immediate restructuring of Lebanon’s political framework, emphasizing that a federal system would end sectarian power struggles and pave the way for sustainable governance. By doing so, he argued, Lebanon could reintegrate into the Arab world, address its crises effectively, and secure a future of stability and progress for all its communities.