{{Infobox political party | country = Lebanon | abbreviation = Al Haraka | native_name_lang = ar | colorcode = {{party colour|Independence Movement (Lebanon)}} | name = Independence Movement | native_name = حركة الإستقلال | logo = Independence Movement Lebanon logo.png | foundation = {{start date and age|2006}} | ideology = {{ubl|[[Sovereigntism]]|[[Reformism]]|[[Secularism]]|{{Nowrap|[[Lebanese nationalism]]}}}} | leader = [[Michel Moawad]] | position = [[Centre-right politics|Centre-right]] | national = [[March 14 Alliance]] | headquarters = Slayib, Zgharta | blank1_title = [[Parliamentary group|Parliamentary bloc]] | blank1 = [[Renewal Bloc]] | seats1_title = [[Parliament of Lebanon]] | seats1 = {{Composition bar|1|128|{{party colour|Independence Movement (Lebanon)}}}} | seats2_title = [[Council of Ministers of Lebanon|Cabinet of Lebanon]] | seats2 = {{Composition bar|0|24|{{party colour|Independence Movement (Lebanon)}}}} | website = [https://www.michelmoawad.com www.michelmoawad.com] }}
The '''Independence Movement''' ({{langx|ar|حركة الاستقلال}}; ''Harakat Al-Istiklal'' or ''Al Haraka'') is a sovereigntist, reformist and secular centre-right political party based in [[Zgharta]], [[Lebanon]], founded in 2006 by [[Michel Moawad|Michel René Moawad]], son of the assassinated Lebanese President [[René Moawad|President René Moawad]] and first lady [[Nayla Moawad]]; a former Member of the Lebanese Parliament.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021-06-14 |title=Son of slain president urges action before Lebanon becomes 'failed state' |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/lebanon/son-of-slain-president-urges-action-before-lebanon-becomes-failed-state-1.1240382 |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref>
== Origin == The Independence Movement began as a grassroots initiative as part of the [[Cedar Revolution]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=خسرت 14 آذار يوم فرّطت بثلاثية "السيادة والشراكة والعدالة" |url=https://www.michelmoawad.com/2016/02/14/%D8%AE%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%AA-14-%D8%A2%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%91%D8%B7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%AB%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AB%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%88/ |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=MichelMoawad.com - Michel Moawad Official Website - Arabic Version |language=ar-AR}}</ref> before it evolved into a structured political organization that aims to defend Lebanese sovereignty, independence, democracy, state institutions, and liberties. The movement equally advocates human and economic sustainable development, reforms and modernization of state institutions, reinforcement of governmental transparency and accountability, as well as civic engagement and participation in public life.
== Chronology of Main Events == The movement is part of the anti-Syrian [[Qornet Shehwan Gathering]] and the [[March 14 Alliance]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=March 14 defeated after giving up on the principles of sovereignty, partnership and justice |url=https://www.michelmoawad.com/en/blog/2016/02/15/the-march-14-coalition-was-defeated-once-its-members-gave-up-on-the-principles-of-sovereignty-partnership-and-justice/ |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Michel Moawad - Official Website - English Version |date=15 February 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref> In the 2005-2009 Parliamentary Elections, it had 3 [[Maronite]] MPs for the [[Zgharta District]] in the Lebanese Parliament, [[Nayla Moawad]], Jawad Simon Boulos and [[Samir Frangieh]]. Since 2009, the movement has been led by [[Michel Moawad]], Jawad Simon Boulos and Youssef Bahaa El Douaihy. They lost the 2009 Parliamentary Elections against [[Suleiman Frangieh, Jr.]], Minister [[Salim Bey Karam]] and Estephan El Douaihy. However, following the 2018 Lebanese Parliamentary Elections, the Independence Movement gained a seat in Parliament with the arrival of its leader [[Michel Moawad|Michel René Moawad]]; representing [[Zgharta District]] in the [[North III]] electoral sector.<ref>{{Cite web |last=بطرس |first=باسكال |title=Lists in the Third North: The Battle of Gibran Basil |url=https://www.almodon.com/politics/2018/3/27/4-لوائح-في-الشمال-الثالثة-معركة-جبران-باسيل |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=almodon |language=ar}}</ref>
In 2022, the Independence Movement allied with the [[Kataeb Party]] and other [[Hezbollah|Anti-Hezbollah]] independents to form a list called 'Shamal Al Mouwajaha' to bring down [[Gebran Bassil|Gebran Bassil's]] presence in the [[North III]] electoral districts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-04-02 |title=Michel Moawad leads North Lebanon III list 'Shamal Al Mouwajaha,' unveiled Saturday |url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1295623/michel-moawad-leads-north-lebanon-iii-list-shamal-al-mouwajaha-unveiled-saturday.html |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=L'Orient Today}}</ref>
== President of the Movement ==
Since 2009, the movement has been led by [[Michel Moawad]] ({{langx|ar|ميشال معوض}}). He is a resigned Member of the Lebanese Parliament (Parliament of Lebanon); resigned in protest following the [[2020 Beirut explosion|August 4th Beirut Explosion]].<ref name=":0" /> In May 2018, he was elected for the first time to the [[Parliament of Lebanon|Lebanese Parliament]] representing the [[Zgharta District]] in the North-3 electoral sector.<ref name=":1" /> Moawad was an active member of the parliamentary budget committee and played a pivotal role in fighting corruption and exposed the illegal partisan employment in the public sector. He is the son of the former Lebanese President [[René Moawad|President René Moawad]], assassinated on the 22 of November 1989.<ref name=":0" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.michelmoawad.com Independence Movement "Harakat Al Istiklal" Official website]
{{Lebanese political parties}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Independence Movement}} [[Category:2006 establishments in Lebanon]] [[Category:Catholic political parties]] [[Category:Christian political parties in Lebanon]] [[Category:Conservative parties in Lebanon]] [[Category:Lebanese nationalist parties]] [[Category:March 14 Alliance]] [[Category:Political parties established in 2006]] [[Category:Secularism in Lebanon]]