Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel on Sunday hailed what he described as a major shift in voter sentiment across Mount Lebanon following the first round of municipal elections, setting his sights on turning the Metn Union of Municipalities into a driver of local development.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Saifi, Gemayel congratulated the Lebanese people for what he called a “clear embrace of change,” and applauded authorities for overseeing what he said were successful and well-run elections.

While vote tallies were still being finalized, Gemayel pointed to encouraging early results from key cities such as Jbeil, Jounieh, and Jdeideh, describing them as “positive samples” for the party’s performance.

“We’ve seen promising outcomes in major cities where luck has been on our side,” he said.

The Kataeb leader praised party members who won municipal seats, noting notable gains in areas where the party had not previously fielded candidates, including Beiteddine and the outskirts of Jbeil.

“We are hopeful,” he said.

“Big Story” Unfolding in Metn

Gemayel reserved his strongest words for the Metn district, calling the outcome there a “big story” and a historic departure from entrenched political structures.

“This is symbolic. Our generation lived through the Syrian occupation and the repression of the Lebanese-Syrian security regime,” he said. “That system had taken root in some villages and towns in Metn. Today, however, we’re witnessing a real shift, particularly in the coastal areas.”

He cited wins in key localities such as Jdeideh, Dbayeh, and Antelias, describing the emergence of new mayors and political forces, with Kataeb at the forefront.

Gemayel also claimed some opponents benefited from backing by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, saying the latter had “redirected votes from the Amal Movement to certain candidates.”

“Despite that, we secured the overwhelming majority of municipalities and are pleased with the change we’re seeing in Metn,” he said.

Disputing Murr’s Numbers

Gemayel pushed back on figures released by former Interior Minister Elias Murr, disputing the latter's claim that his camp held the advantage in the race for the presidency of the Metn Union of Municipalities.

“Murr’s numbers are inaccurate,” Gemayel said. “We’re actually ahead by a wide margin. Our bloc is short by just one or two votes to secure control of the Metn municipal union, while Murr’s side is short by seven.”

According to Gemayel, around 10 or 11 mayors had yet to declare their allegiances.

“We only need two of them. He needs eight. That’s why the smart thing now is to turn the page and focus on the future,” he said.

A Development Plan for Metn

The Kataeb chief argued that there is wide consensus that the Metn municipal union has underperformed in recent years.

“Metn has been neglected,” he said. “We’ve shown what good governance looks like in Bikfaya, and we want to apply that model across the Metn district.”

Outlining a broader vision, Gemayel said his goal is to transform the union from a passive bureaucratic body into an active development hub.

“We want to turn the union into a functioning team that can lift the district,” he said. “We’re not relying on bravado. We’re relying on our work ethic, our principles, our ideas, our plans, and our honesty. The decision now rests with the mayors.”

Beyond Partisan Lines

Gemayel cautioned against interpreting the election solely through a political lens, pointing to the influence of family ties and local alliances.

“It would be a major mistake to reduce these elections solely to politics. There are many other dimensions at play,” he said. "What’s certain is that a significant transformation is happening at the national level, and it is clearly reflected in the way people are voting in these local elections.”

“We hope this marks the beginning of Lebanon’s revival,” he added.