The Kataeb Party will not engage in electoral alliances with Hezbollah as it believes that any political partnership must be founded on a shared vision for Lebanon, said Serge Dagher, the party’s adviser on political and electoral affairs.

“Our alliances are primarily political, not just about winning seats,” Dagher said in an interview on LBCI. “The Kataeb will not team up with Hezbollah, which we view as a threat to Lebanon. Efforts to form alliances solely to increase parliamentary representation serve personal interests, not the country’s. We only partner with parties that share our vision. Naturally, this means we are likely to work with the Lebanese Forces in many districts. Talks are ongoing, and we remain in contact with all like-minded political actors.”

Dagher described the recent ruling by the Justice Ministry’s Legislation and Consultations Committee on the electoral law as “realistic,” emphasizing that Minister Adel Nassar has never exerted pressure on the judiciary.

“We don’t know which legal mechanism Speaker Nabih Berri is using to keep the electoral law off parliament’s agenda,” he said. “We are at a deadlock, and since no one wants to take responsibility, elections should move forward as they have in the past.”

He accused Hezbollah of undermining democracy by intimidating voters in areas under its control.

“Elections under the current conditions would not be free. The Kataeb believes that no elections should take place while illegal weapons remain in the country.”

Dagher also directly challenged Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon.

“Hezbollah treats anyone who doesn’t align with it as an enemy. We have demanded that it surrender its weapons so all citizens are equal under the law. Hezbollah even negotiated with Israel through Nabih Berri and signed a ceasefire agreement that clearly required it to hand over its arms to the Lebanese state. So why are we being blamed?”

He urged members of the Shiite community, many of whom he said are under Hezbollah’s influence, to join in building the State alongside their fellow citizens.

Regarding the government’s recent decision to raise the Value Added Tax and hike gasoline prices, Dagher said the Kataeb bloc will oppose these measures in parliament, stressing that while the party is part of the government, it cannot endorse every decision.

“Retirees must receive what they are owed, and salary increases in the public sector should go to competent employees who serve citizens with integrity—not placeholders installed by the deep state.”

He called for tax policies designed based on scientific studies, along with a crackdown on the black market, illegal smuggling, and tax evasion, using the revenue to fund state needs rather than burden ordinary citizens.

“Our opposition to these recent proposals does not mean we are resigning from the government,” he said.