There’s no question that the Kataeb Party is going all in to secure a major win in Lebanon’s upcoming municipal elections that are scheduled to take place starting May 4. The party has put its full weight behind this electoral battle, recognizing the potential for sweeping changes in Christian-majority areas. At the heart of this effort is a carefully crafted web of alliances that Kataeb hopes will reaffirm its political presence by securing victories across cities, towns, and villages, and by governing in a way that prioritizes grassroots development to the fullest extent possible.

Kataeb is entering the race with two clear and defining objectives: development and reform. Backed by a solid political legacy and widespread presence in municipalities across the country, the party believes it is well-positioned to make meaningful gains. This momentum comes at a time when municipal performance has sharply declined, and local development efforts have stalled in most areas. One of the party’s most pointed criticisms is that many mayors and municipal officials quickly lose sight of public concerns once they assume office. In response, Kataeb is fielding a strong slate of candidates—a mix of committed party members and respected reform-minded independents—many of whom were nominated by their own communities.

Behind the scenes, Kataeb leader Samy Gemayel has laid out a detailed, strategic blueprint for this campaign. His approach includes forging key partnerships with prominent Christian political actors and turning attention toward municipal unions in key districts and major urban centers. These unions, if won, would give the party institutional leverage to roll out its development plans. The aim is clear: to implement projects that yield real benefits for citizens, drawing lessons from the late MP Michel Murr, whose strong grip on municipal politics gave him sustained influence in the Metn district for decades. For Gemayel, this campaign is more than an electoral test; it’s a crucial step in his long-standing vision to institutionalize administrative decentralization and pave the way for its legislative adoption.

While no definitive numbers are available yet, early signs suggest the Kataeb Party is on track to score substantial victories, particularly in Metn, Batroun, and Keserwan, with promising, if more modest, gains in Jbeil.

One of the most high-profile alliances is in Batroun, where Kataeb has teamed up with Majd Harb, son of former MP Boutros Harb. In Jbeil, the party is running alongside a number of prominent figures and well-established families, further reinforcing its standing in the district. In Keserwan and Jounieh, Kataeb has joined forces with the Lebanese Forces, former MP Mansour El-Bon, and current MP Neemat Frem. Insiders expect this alliance to notch a near-certain victory in Keserwan’s capital.

In the Metn district, a three-way alliance between Kataeb, the Lebanese Forces, and influential local families is poised to dominate the race. The opposing camp, by contrast, appears fractured—split between the legacy of MP Michel Murr and the Free Patriotic Movement, which continues to struggle with internal rifts and resignations.

At a time when public confidence in local governance is in short supply, Kataeb is betting that a disciplined message of reform, paired with deep community ties and a practical vision for development, will resonate at the ballot box.

This is an English adaptation of an Arabic article by Chady Hilani.