As the race for the presidency of the Metn Union of Municipalities enters its final stretch, Bikfaya-Mhaydseh Mayor Nicole Gemayel is positioning herself as a candidate of reform and cooperation, voicing optimism that the elections could mark a turning point for local governance across the district.

Speaking to Voice of Lebanon a few hours before the vote, Gemayel said she hoped the elections would bring “good news” to Metn residents by delivering a “strong and effective” union that works collectively to address pressing challenges.

“We will walk alongside President Joseph Aoun and the government in shaping a new Lebanon,” she said, framing her campaign as part of a broader push for clean governance and institutional renewal.

“We envision a modern and development-driven model that serves our children and the generations to come.”

Gemayel, a leading contender for the post, said that if elected to head the union, her leadership approach would be rooted in collaboration and teamwork, bringing together the heads of municipalities across the district to develop joint solutions.

“If I’m chosen to lead the union, I won’t be working alone,” she said. “We will function as a team of municipal leaders committed to solving the district’s problems together.”

Chief among those issues is the district’s growing waste management crisis. With landfills reaching full capacity and no long-term strategy in place, a coordinated approach will be necessary to avoid a full-blown environmental and health disaster.

“Waste management is a fundamental issue, especially now that landfills have reached their limit,” she said. “We need to reactivate the union’s role, which has largely been dormant in recent years, and bring stakeholders to the table.”

Gemayel said she plans to work closely with the relevant authorities to seek practical and sustainable solutions to the waste issue and other concerns;