Will the FPM survive for the coming years ?

[The Jade]

These elections and the past 4 years have shown many things.

The FPM is surely one of the biggest parties in the country but unfortunately the absence of structure is terrifying.

The FPM is still a one man show. Michel Aoun promised us elections 3 years ago, but since then nothing happened.
Why were the elections postponed ? Credible internal sources say that there was a fight for the leadership between several people and Aoun didn't want to go through with it.

Unfortunately, these fights will still go on, so why not face the problem head on ?

In 2013, the expats will be able to vote and the FPM is quasi-unexistant in terms of visibility in foreign countries.

What is FPM's strategy for the next 4 years ?
Where is the FPM going ?
Will it survive ? If yes, how ?
Who is FPM's second in command ?
Who are FPM's voted upon leaders who could replace the actual leader if something happened to him ?
Will there be elections ? If yes when ? If no, why not ?

[Qwiw]

I think we are many (in the base) who are asking ourselves these questions.

Even if it is not said publicly, I guess the party is aware and already working on those points.

However, we should put pressure to obtain the best result as fast as possible. Internal elections should be the priority, whatever the consequences are. It is the best time to do such restructuring.

Regarding the diaspora and FPM influence, it is our duty, FPMers from outside, to improve the situation. Go to the local office and start to propose your ideas, help them for their activities and work with the team (without waiting for anything in return!). There is so much to do to catch up our lateness.

[LubnanALkawi]

FPM is finish maybe not today but tomorrow for sure...
in maximum 10 years time after Michel Aoun it will end up like another Ahrar

if not prove me im wrong prove me that FPM is working for a real democratic political party
ill say it again you are running out of time you cant keep pushing it all the time fix it or do it while the man is still alive and with his blessing without the blessing of the master it would not work out

[freemind]

Originally Posted by LubnanALkawi

fix it or do it while the man is still alive and with his blessing without the blessing of the master it would not work out

The master is counting on Franjieh to carry on the torch, they don't know what they're getting themselves into, they never learn, they will never get to understand the Lebanese Christians.

[LebDocNCali]

There is no need for FPM to survive, Lebanon as we know it is gone.

[Shuyu3i]

Originally Posted by LebDocNCali

There is no need for FPM to survive, Lebanon as we know it is gone.

I wouldn't take it that far. Lebanon was way before GMA, FPM and will stay way after GMA and FPM.

[R.B]

I just had to reply to this one. Let us be fair and honest since self-appraisal is necessary and important.

To say that the FPM is a one man show and disorganized is not being fair at all.

For the elections, throughout all of Lebanon, the FPM had close to 80,000 volunteers, some will say they worked well, others will say badly, but the fact is that we had by far the largest volunteer grouping in the country and these people's efforts need to be appreciated - the fact that such a large grouping exists suggests that there is an organization in place.

We need to capitalize on this amazing base.

we need to better communicate and better organize.

Internal elections are once again on the agenda and will recommence soon. There where many local hay'a elections last year and we need to build on this and ultimately allow the base to choose it's leaders at all levels.

There are strong plans being formulated for the leadership succession in due time for the FPM, this leadership will emerge from the choice of the base, and will be a pleasant surprise for most people - all in due course, our current leader has more strength in him than any other lebanese politician.

Now Jade, your comments that the FPM is non-existant in the diaspora is simply not true - at all.

I can guarantee you that the FPM here in Australia is by far the best organized and most active and supported of all Lebanese groups in the country. This does not mean that we shouldn't improve - there's tonnes of room for improvement.

Jade, all of us as FPMers need to work. We want simply be content commentating from the sidelines and judging those actually making an effort. Lebanon and the FPM needs all our efforts. I urge you to make contact with your local chapter (even if you consider it innefective) in Canada and join them and help them become better organized.

Despite the wishes of our opponents, the future of the FPM will be very bright indeed, our not having won the majority will reinvigarate many who have just been watching rather than working.

Speek to your local leadership - give them your opinions.
Ask them for elections asap
Join in and give the FPM a hand so that we can become a bigger, better organized and communication savy organization.

Originally Posted by The Jade

These elections and the past 4 years have shown many things.

The FPM is surely one of the biggest parties in the country but unfortunately the absence of structure is terrifying.

The FPM is still a one man show. Michel Aoun promised us elections 3 years ago, but since then nothing happened.
Why were the elections postponed ? Credible internal sources say that there was a fight for the leadership between several people and Aoun didn't want to go through with it.

Unfortunately, these fights will still go on, so why not face the problem head on ?

In 2013, the expats will be able to vote and the FPM is quasi-unexistant in terms of visibility in foreign countries.

What is FPM's strategy for the next 4 years ?
Where is the FPM going ?
Will it survive ? If yes, how ?
Who is FPM's second in command ?
Who are FPM's voted upon leaders who could replace the actual leader if something happened to him ?
Will there be elections ? If yes when ? If no, why not ?

[MarcoPolo10452]

I think it was Sleiman Frangieh who in an interview last year stated that the whole reason for the FPM's existence is Samir Geagea, and that once he steps down as LF leader there will be no need for the FPM to continue to function. I dunno.

As for who will take Aoun's fanbase after Aoun, I also dunno. If you had told me or an FPMer 10 years ago that next in line to be the head of many FPM supporters was Sleiman Frangieh, we all would've laughed. Politics and those involved change. Sleiman Frangieh was once seen as a Syrian agent by many FPMers and these same people now hail him as a great leader.

I think the FPM will last, it's a great party with great morals, but since its so built around Aoun it will lose a lot of power.

[joseph_lubnan]

In reality, FPM didn't survive the last 4 years. What you have today isn't FPM, it has morphed beyond recognition to something else, and no one has a clue what in fact it is.

The question should be: Can FPM find itself in the coming years?

[Shuyu3i]

Originally Posted by MarcoPolo10452

I think it was Sleiman Frangieh who in an interview last year stated that the whole reason for the FPM's existence is Samir Geagea, and that once he steps down as LF leader there will be no need for the FPM to continue to function. I dunno.

As for who will take Aoun's fanbase after Aoun, I also dunno. If you had told me or an FPMer 10 years ago that next in line to be the head of many FPM supporters was Sleiman Frangieh, we all would've laughed. Politics and those involved change. Sleiman Frangieh was once seen as a Syrian agent by many FPMers and these same people now hail him as a great leader.

I think the FPM will last, it's a great party with great morals, but since its so built around Aoun it will lose a lot of power.

I just hope it doesn't become a party that is a family party like Kataeb or PSP.