{{Short description|Lebanese political bloc}} {{Infobox parliamentary group | name = Strong Republic | native_name = الجمهورية القوية | logo = Logo Strong Republic Bloc (Lebanon).png | size = | color = #ed2027 | caption = | chamber = | legislature = [[Parliament of Lebanon]] | foundation = 21 June 2005 | dissolution = | previous name = | parties = [[Lebanese Forces]] <br>[[National Liberal Party (Lebanon)|National Liberal Party]] | leader = | president = [[Samir Geagea]] | constituency = {{collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = [[North Lebanon]] | bullets = yes | [[North II]] | [[North III]] }} {{collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = [[Mount Lebanon Governorate|Mount Lebanon]] | bullets = yes | [[Mount Lebanon I]] | [[Metn|Mount Lebanon II]] | [[Baabda District|Mount Lebanon III]] | [[Mount Lebanon IV]] }} {{collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = [[Beirut]] | bullets = yes | [[Beirut I]] }} {{collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = [[Bekaa]] | bullets = yes | [[Bekaa I]] | [[Deir Al-Ahmar|Bekaa III]] }} {{collapsible list | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left; | title = [[South Lebanon]] | bullets = yes | [[Jezzine District|South I]] }} | vice president = [[Georges Adwan]] | spokesperson = | general secretary = Emile Moukarzel | treasurer = | members = {{composition bar|19|128|per=1|{{party color|Lebanese Forces}}}} | ideology = [[Sovereigntism]] <br> [[Nationalism]] | position = | website = [https://www.facebook.com/thestrongrep/ The Strong Republic Bloc official page] }}
'''Strong Republic''' ({{langx|ar|الجمهورية القوية}}) is the parliamentary bloc of the [[Lebanese Forces]] in the [[Lebanese Parliament]]. It is headed by member of parliament and vice president of the Lebanese Forces party [[Georges Adwan]]. The bloc has been made up of 19 MPs since the [[2022 Lebanese general election|2022 general election]] making it the largest bloc in the Lebanese Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com.lb/en/news/articles/1286797/the-19-lebanese-forces-mps-wrote-the-strong-republic-on-their-papers-to-confirm-that-they-did-not-vote-for-berri |title=The 19 Lebanese Forces MPs wrote "the strong republic" on their papers to confirm that they did not vote for Berri |language=ar |publisher=mtv.com.lb |date=31 May 2022}}</ref>
== Election summary == {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;" ! Election ! Seats ! Change |- | [[Lebanese general election, 2005|2005]] | {{composition bar|6|128|per=1|{{party color|Lebanese Forces}}}} | ''New'' |- | [[Lebanese general election, 2009|2009]] | {{composition bar|8|128|per=1|{{party color|Lebanese Forces}}}} | {{Increase}} 2 |- | [[Lebanese general election, 2018|2018]] | {{composition bar|15|128|per=1|{{party color|Lebanese Forces}}}} | {{Increase}} 7 |- | [[2022 Lebanese general election|2022]] | {{composition bar|19|128|per=1|{{party color|Lebanese Forces}}}} | {{Increase}} 4 |}
== 2005–2009 session deputies == {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Election Area !Political Affiliation !Sect |- |[[Farid Habib]] |[[Koura District|Koura]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Greek Orthodox]] |- |- |[[Antoine Moussa Zahra|Antoine Zahra]] |[[Batroun District|Batroun]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |[[Sethrida Geagea|Sethrida Tawk]] |[[Bsharri District|Bsharri]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |[[Elie Keyrouz]] |[[Bsharri District|Bsharri]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |[[Georges Adwan]] |[[Chouf]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |[[Edmond Naim]] |[[Baabda District|Baabda]] |{{Color box|#FFFFFF|||border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] |[[Maronite]] |}
== 2009–2018 session deputies == {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Election Area !Political Affiliation !Sect |- |[[Farid Habib]] |[[Koura District|Koura]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Greek Orthodox]] |- |- |[[Antoine Moussa Zahra|Antoine Zahra]] |[[Batroun District|Batroun]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |[[Sethrida Geagea]] |[[Bsharri District|Bsharri]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |[[Elie Keyrouz]] |[[Bsharri District|Bsharri]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |[[Georges Adwan]] |[[Chouf]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |Tony Abou Khater |[[Zahle District|Zahle]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Greek Catholic]] |- |Shant Chinchinian |[[Zahle District|Zahle]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Armenian Orthodox]] |- |Joseph Maalouf |[[Zahle District|Zahle]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Greek Orthodox]] |}
== 2018–2022 session deputies == {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Election Area !Political Affiliation !Sect |- |[[Imad Wakim]] |[[Beirut I]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Greek Orthodox]] |- |[[Wehbe Katicha]] |[[Akkar]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Greek Orthodox]] |- |[[Fady Saad]] |[[Batroun District|Batroun]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |[[Sethrida Geagea|Sethrida Tawk]] |[[Bsharri District|Bsharri]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |Joseph Ishac |[[Bsharri District|Bsharri]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |[[Ziad Hawat]] |[[Byblos District|Byblos]] |{{color box|#FFFFFF|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] |[[Maronite]] |- |Chawki Daccache |[[Keserwan District|Keserwan]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |[[Eddy Abillammaa]] |[[Metn]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |[[Pierre Bou Assi]] |[[Baabda District|Baabda]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |Anis Nassar |[[Aley District|Aley]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Greek Orthodox]] |- |[[Georges Adwan]] |[[Chouf]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |Georges Okeis |[[Zahle District|Zahle]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Greek Catholic]] |- |Antoine Habchi |[[Baalbeck]] [[Hermel]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |[[Maronite]] |- |<s>[[Jean Talouzian]]</s> Expelled in October 2020 |[[Beirut I]] |{{color box|#FFFFFF|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] |[[Armenian Catholic]] |- |<s>[[Cesar Maalouf]]</s> Expelled in August 2021 |[[Zahle District|Zahle]] |{{color box|#FFFFFF|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] |[[Greek Orthodox]] |}
== 2022–2026 session deputies == {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Election Area !Political Affiliation !Sect |- |[[Ghassan Hasbani]] |Beirut 1 |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Greek Orthodox |- |Jihad Pakradouni |Beirut 1 |{{color box|#FFFFFF|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] |Armenian Orthodox |- |Elias Khoury |North 2 - [[Tripoli District, Lebanon|Tripoli]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Maronite |- |Fadi Karam |North 3 - [[Koura District|Koura]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Greek Orthodox |- |[[Sethrida Geagea]] |North 3 - [[Bsharri District|Bsharri]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Maronite |- |Ghayath Yazbeck |North 3 - [[Batroun District|Batroun]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Maronite |- |[[Ziad Hawat]] |Mount Lebanon 1 - [[Byblos District|Jbeil]] |{{color box|#FFFFFF|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] |Maronite |- |Chawki Daccache |Mount Lebanon 1 - [[Kesserwan]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Maronite |- |Melhem Riachy |Mount Lebanon 2 - [[Metn]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Greek Catholic |- |Razi El Hage |Mount Lebanon 2 - [[Metn]] |{{color box|#FFFFFF|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] |Maronite |- |[[Pierre Bou Assi]] |Mount Lebanon 3 - [[Baabda District|Baabda]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Maronite |- |[[Camille Dory Chamoun]] |Mount Lebanon 3 - [[Baabda District|Baabda]] |{{color box|Gold|border=silver}} [[National Liberal Party (Lebanon)|National Liberal Party]] |Maronite |- |Nazih Matta |Mount Lebanon 4 - [[Aley District|Aley]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Greek Orthodox |- |[[Georges Adwan]] |Mount Lebanon 4 - [[Chouf]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Maronite |- |Ghada Ayoub |South 1 - [[Jezzine District|Jezzine]] |{{color box|#FFFFFF|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] |Greek Catholic |- |Said Asmar |South 1 - [[Jezzine District|Jezzine]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Maronite |- |Elias Estephan |Bekaa 1 - [[Zahle District|Zahle]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Greek Orthodox |- |Georges Okais |Bekaa 1 - [[Zahle District|Zahle]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Greek Catholic |- |Antoine Habchi |Bekaa 3 - [[Baalbek District|Baalbek]]-[[Hermel District|Hermel]] |{{Color box|#ed2027|||border=silver}} [[Lebanese Forces]] |Maronite |}
== List of draft laws proposed in parliament == {| class="wikitable" |+ |- ! Date !! MP !! Name !! Detail |- | 02-06-2012 || Elie Keyrouz || abolish death penalty in Lebanon || The death penalty should be eliminated in all instances within Lebanese legislation, particularly in the Penal Code and the Military Penal Code. Instead, it should be substituted with the punishment of life imprisonment with hard labor or life imprisonment, depending on the nature and circumstances of the committed crime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lebanese-forces.com/law/abolish-the-death-penalty-in-lebanon/|title=الغاء عقوبة الاعدام في لبنان اقتراح قانون}}</ref> |- | 29-07-2016 || Elie Keyrouz|| abolish Lebanese rape-marriage law Article 522 || Introducing a law to abolish Article 522 of the Lebanese Penal Code, which allows the perpetrator of crimes of assault on honor to escape prosecution if he marries the victim.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2016/07/29/elie-keyrouz-50/|title=كيروز يتقدم بإقتراح قانون الغاء النص المتعلق بتزويج المُعتدى عليها من المعتدي}}</ref> |- | 02-08-2023 || Melhem Riachi, Georges Okeis || Legalize optional civil marriage in Lebanon || The couple is free to choose any municipality for their marriage ceremony, as long as the municipality has at least 15 members. Their marriage will be legally recognized and governed by the court within the same jurisdiction. Non-Lebanese have the right to contract a civil marriage on Lebanese territory in accordance with this law.<ref>{{cite web|date=2023-08-02 |website=Lebanese Forces|title=بالوثيقة ـ الرياشي وعقيص يقدمان اقتراح قانون للزواج المدني الاختياري.. البلديات تتولى المراسم|url=https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2023/08/02/okais-riachi/}}</ref> |}
== Bloc events summary == ===2005 Bloc=== The bloc refused to vote for Nabih Berri in the [[2005 Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament election]].<ref>{{cite web|title=نواب لقاء قرنة شهوان المسيحي الاقتراع بورقة بيضاء|url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2005/6/28/%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%A7-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A}}</ref>
On 23 January 2006, MP [[Edmond Naim]] died.<ref>{{cite web|title=Former Bank of Lebanon governor dies|url=https://www.centralbanking.com/central-banking/news/1406349/former-bank-lebanon-governor-dies}}</ref>
===2009 Bloc=== The bloc refused to vote for Nabih Berri in the [[2009 Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament election]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lebanese Forces have openly objected to Berri”s re-election|url=https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2009/06/25/52081/}}</ref>
On May 31, 2012, MP [[Farid Habib]] died.<ref>{{cite web|title=Koura's LF MP Farid Habib Dies after Battle with Illness|url=https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/42032-koura-s-lf-mp-farid-habib-dies-after-battle-with-illness}}</ref>
On July 15, 2012, LF candidate Fadi Karam won the [[2012 Koura by-elections|by-elections]] to fill the seat of late Farid Habib.<ref>{{cite web|title= Fadi Karam won the north Lebanon Koura by-elections Sunday 15 July|url=https://aceproject.org/regions-en/countries-and-territories/LB/news/lebanon-march-14-candidate-fadi-karam-wins-koura}}</ref>
On April 4, 2014, the bloc nominated party leader [[Samir Geagea]] for the [[2014 Lebanese presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://civilsociety-centre.org/content/lf-announces-geageas-candidacy-presidential-elections|title=LF announces Geagea candidacy to presidential elections}}</ref>
In 2016, the bloc proposed a law that protects women and other family members from domestic violence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lebanese-forces.com/law/women-protection-from-domestic-violence/|title=اقتراح تعديل قانوني}}</ref>
===2018 Bloc=== Members of the bloc refused to vote for Nabih Berri in the [[2018 Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament election]] for the exception of [[Cesar Maalouf]] who was later expelled from the bloc on August 20, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=سيزار معلوف خارج كتلة "القوات"|url=https://www.almodon.com/politics/2021/8/20/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%A8-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%88%D9%81-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC-%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lebanese Forces Won't Vote for Berri|url=https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/246468-geagea-says-lebanese-forces-won-t-vote-for-berri}}</ref>
On August 31, 2020, the Strong Republic bloc named [[Nawaf Salam]] to form the government as Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web|title=نواف سلام مرشح “القوات” اليوم |url=https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2020/08/31/lf-nawaf-salam/}}</ref>
On October 22, 2020, MP [[Jean Talouzian]] was expelled from the bloc when he nominated [[Saad Hariri]] to be elected as Prime Minister unlike the rest of the Strong Republic bloc.<ref>{{cite web|title=MP Jean Talouzian, who aligns with the Lebanese Forces, told VDL (93.3) that he's not a member of the party and that if his position isn't suitable for the LF, he will be outside its bloc|url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1237855/following-his-vote-yesterday-for-saad-hariri-mp-jean-talouzian-who-aligns-with-the-lebanese-forces-told-vdl-933-that-hes-not-a-member-of-the-party-and.html}}</ref>
===2022 Bloc=== The bloc refused to vote for Nabih Berri in the [[2022 Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament election]],<ref>{{cite web|title=رقم قياسي لرافضي انتخاب برّي|url=https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2022/05/23/nabih-berrii/}}</ref> and had its MPs write "the strong republic" on their papers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com.lb/en/news/articles/1286797/the-19-lebanese-forces-mps-wrote-the-strong-republic-on-their-papers-to-confirm-that-they-did-not-vote-for-berri|title=The 19 Lebanese Forces MPs wrote "the strong republic" on their papers to confirm that they did not vote for Berri}}</ref>
On July 19, 2022, MP Razi El-Hage proposed a law to adopt the majority system in municipal elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lebanese-forces.com/law/law-lf-bloc/|title=اقتراح قانون لاعتماد النظام الأكثري في الانتخابات البلدية}}</ref>
On September 14, 2022, LF boycotted the parliament session due to the memorial of [[Bachir Gemayel]]‘s assassination.<ref>{{cite web|title=Christian MPs boycotted the session to commemorate former President Bachir Gemayel's 40th assassination anniversary|url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1311390/parliament-budget-session-postponed-due-to-lack-of-quorum.html}}</ref>
The Strong Republic bloc initially endorsed [[Michel Moawad]] for the [[2022–2025 Lebanese presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web|title=our candidate is Michel Moawad, says LF|url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1327467/so-far-our-candidate-is-michel-moawad-says-lf-in-bkirki.html}}</ref> The bloc's second endorsement was [[Jihad Azour]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2311981/middle-east|title=Christian blocs indicate support for Jihad Azour as a Lebanon presidential candidate}}</ref>
== Bloc allies == *[[Democratic Gathering (Lebanon)|Democratic Gathering]] *[[Kataeb party]] *[[Renewal Bloc]]
==See also== * [[List of members of the 2005–2009 Lebanese Parliament]] * [[List of members of the 2009–2017 Lebanese Parliament]] * [[List of members of the 2018–2022 Lebanese Parliament]] * [[List of members of the 2022–2026 Lebanese Parliament]]
== References == {{Reflist}}
[[Category:Lebanese Forces politicians]] [[Category:March 14 Alliance]] [[Category:Politics of Lebanon]] [[Category:Parliamentary blocs of Lebanon]] [[Category:Lebanese Forces]]