MP Nadim Gemayel on Sunday urged Christian voters in Beirut to head to the polls in large numbers for the municipal elections, warning that the city’s power-sharing formula is at risk. 

“This is a major political issue for us,” Gemayel told This Is Lebanon. “The challenge to parity is very real. At a time when the region is shifting rapidly, we cannot afford to jeopardize the principle of equal power-sharing in Beirut.”

Gemayel, a member of the Kataeb Party, stressed that Christian participation could be decisive in Beirut’s highly fragmented electoral landscape, particularly in Beirut II district.

“For the first time, Christians can be the swing vote,” he said. “With enough turnout, they can tip the scales between competing electoral lists.”

Lebanon’s political system is based on confessional power-sharing, and maintaining parity between Christians and Muslims has long been a cornerstone of its fragile stability. Gemayel said that preserving this balance in Beirut’s municipal council is critical to protecting the city’s identity.

“Beirut needs to uphold its national pact and protect the character of the capital and its residents,” he said. “We’ve made this our central mission: safeguarding parity and partnership. We can’t afford to lose the city.”

Gemayel also emphasized that the elections are just the beginning of a broader political push to reform how the capital is governed.

“Starting Monday, regardless of the outcome, we’ll begin working on a package of legislative proposals concerning Beirut’s municipal structure,” he said. “We weren’t able to tackle these issues in recent years because of crises, wars, and political paralysis.”

He added that the effort would include a serious review of the powers, responsibilities, and representative structure of the municipality.

“We’ve made a promise to voters, to fellow politicians, and to all Lebanese: no matter the results, we’re going to push for a reset in how municipal governance is done,” he said.