How is Lebanon’s cabinet formed under the Lebanese political system?

Under the Lebanese political system, the formation of a cabinet is a structured process rooted in the country's parliamentary system and long-standing power-sharing conventions.21

The process generally follows these steps:

• Designation: The president, in consultation with the speaker of the National Assembly and parliamentary deputies, invites a Sunni Muslim to serve as the prime minister-designate and form a cabinet.2
• Sectarian Balance: Cabinet portfolios are organized to reflect a sectarian balance, a requirement reinforced by the Taif Accord, which mandates that the cabinet be divided evenly between Christian and Muslim groups.21
• Legislative Approval: Once formed, the cabinet must receive a vote of confidence from the National Assembly to remain in power.2

While the president serves as the head of state, the cabinet holds more executive power. The formation process is often complex and subject to intense negotiation among political factions, frequently leading to prolonged delays when consensus on representation or ministerial appointments cannot be reached.2345