The Debate over the Lebanese Diaspora’s Vote: As Lebanon tries to reform itself, the diaspora wants a say at the ballot box

Author

• Sandra Sadek, Craig Newmark Graduate School of JournalismFollow

Graduation Date

Fall 12-19-2025

Grading Professor

Alia Malek

Subject Concentration

International

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Abstract

The Lebanese diaspora is demanding full voting rights ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections. The movement comes at a time when the 2026 parliamentary elections coincide with a moment of national reckoning. Despite urgency from a vocal diaspora and pressure from several members of parliament and the cabinet, the bill to permanently amend the current electoral law has stalled on the speaker’s desk. The outcome of that struggle stands not only to determine how much influence this global constituency can have on Lebanon’s future but also what the country’s recovery path can look like amid a dramatically changing regional landscape. https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSchG7ne1KXuoj4jXYoq7VU1Hd9uTBJzLRAIIcRBkwumXRRjpbJ25l5OpY4C75yV5JHte1lSwsspszG/pub

Recommended Citation

Sadek, Sandra, "The Debate over the Lebanese Diaspora’s Vote: As Lebanon tries to reform itself, the diaspora wants a say at the ballot box" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/836