Maronite Politics

Maronite Politics (Arabic: المارونية السياسية‎), also translated as Political Maronism, is a term used in Lebanon that generally refers to political views and positions of Maronite politicians, as well as the period where Maronites led the political situation in the country.[1]

This article is part of a series on
Maronite Politics
People Émile Eddé Bechara El Khoury Alfred Naqqache Camille Chamoun Suleiman Frangieh Pierre Gemayel Bachir Gemayel Amine Gemayel Michel Aoun Samir Geagea Gebran Bassil
Families Chamoun Frangieh Gemayel Shihab
Parties National Bloc Constitutional Bloc Kataeb National Liberal Marada Movement Lebanese Forces Free Patriotic Movement
Militias Kataeb Regulatory Forces Tigers Lebanese Forces Al-Tanzim
Lebanon portal

In 1920, Maronites played a key role in the establishment of Greater Lebanon by the French Mandate.[2] They were the largest sect at the time, and were appointed to the main political offices; the President, the Prime Minister and the Speaker. The National Pact of 1943 dedicated their right to hold the presidency.[3]

Maronites are usually linked to Phoenicianism and Lebanese nationalism, which are ideologies that rejects the Arab identity of Lebanon and the Lebanese people, suggesting that they are descended from Phoenicians, an ancient civilization that lived on the coast of modern Lebanon.[4][5]

The downfall of the Political Maronism came by the end of the Lebanese Civil War and the Taif Agreement, which limited the powers of the Maronite president in favor to the Sunni prime minister.[6][7]