Lebanon’s proposed 2026 budget has come under fire from MP Elias Hankach, who said it fails to reflect the country’s economic reality, address the roots of its ongoing crisis, or protect its most vital resources: the private sector and the nation’s youth.

Speaking during a parliamentary session on the budget, Hankach said the debate goes far beyond numbers.

“This isn’t just about the budget,” he said. “It’s about the kind of Lebanon we want to build.”

He expressed disappointment that the government had not lived up to expectations.

“We had hoped this administration would lay the foundation for a new Lebanon,” Hankach said. “But this budget doesn’t reflect the reality we’re living, and it doesn’t tackle the root causes of the crisis. Instead of restoring trust that’s been lost over decades, it feels like a cover to continue the collapse.”

Hankach sharply criticized the budget for placing the burden on law-abiding private sector actors while leaving the informal economy untouched.

“The private sector can’t sustain a State that works against it,” he said. “The funding this sector provides keeps this country running, and it can’t be taken for granted.”

Hankach stressed that the private sector is not the enemy of the State, but a pillar of national resilience. 

He also highlighted the budget’s neglect of young people and start-ups.

“We need fast internet for our youth, affordable loans, and housing,” Hankach said. “We need to support innovation, but this budget doesn’t even mention young talent or start-ups. How can we create a nurturing environment when they’re completely ignored?”

The MP called for streamlining government procedures, reducing bribery, and accelerating digitalization. He also condemned the budget for failing to reflect ministerial performance and for ignoring the need to restore monetary stability and restructure state finances.

“We need real accountability and to rebuild trust with the people,” Hankach said. “We want genuine reforms. And the Lebanese diaspora, which is effectively excluded from the upcoming parliamentary elections, deserves attention too, but the agenda ignored them entirely.”

Hankach also linked the budget to national security, emphasizing the importance of controlling weapons.

“The Lebanese army is working tirelessly, and the government has already implemented the first phase of the plan to centralize weapons in southern Lebanon,” he said. “But this plan must extend to the north of the Litani River, where weapons have been used to assassinate Rafik Hariri, figures of the March 14 alliance like Pierre Gemayel and Gebran Tueni, and security officials. These arms fueled the May 7 clashes, facilitated captagon smuggling, and threatened our judges.”

Hankach concluded by asserting that the budget must assert State sovereignty, with weapons control at its core.

“We support exclusive State control of arms across northern, southern, eastern, and western Lebanon, and the full authority of the State over the country’s 10,452 square kilometers,” he said.