Lebanon’s Government Resigned. Here Are Three Possibilities for What’s Next.

On Tuesday, 13 days into the civilian-led uprising-turned-revolution, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned. This resignation, nine months after the government was formed, resulted primarily from the pressure in the streets throughout the country.

The Lebanese government has once again failed to deliver on much-needed economic and sociopolitical reforms. What comes next? Almost any possibility is determined by the character and momentum of the protests, especially the continued pressure on the government. Here are three possible directions for the government’s next steps.

1 — Politicians could try to maintain the status quo.

My research shows that cross-sectarian bargains between Lebanon’s political elite are resilient and tend to form after moments of crises. However, the massive, unprecedented and leaderless uprising that began on Oct. 17 and quickly spread across Lebanon has emerged as a new force on the political landscape.