Lebanese Druze leader Walid Joumblatt resigns from his party's leadership

The former warlord has led the Progressive Socialists since 1977

Lebanese Druze leader Walid Joumblatt has yet to provide a reason for his resignation. AFP

Lebanon’s Walid Joumblatt has resigned as Progressive Socialist Party leader after 46 years at the helm of the political organisation.

Mr Joumblatt also stepped down from the party’s leadership council and called for a June 25 electoral convention, PSP news agency Al Anbaa reported on Thursday.

He instructed the party's general secretariat to complete preparations and issue circulars related to the nominations of candidates, a statement carried by the news agency said.

Mr Joumblatt, 73, a former warlord and leader of Lebanon’s most powerful Druze clan, did not give a reason for his unexpected resignation. He has previously voiced the desire that his son Taymour take a larger leadership role. Taymour has taken on a more public role in recent years, accompanying his father or standing in for him at events.

“There is absolutely zero suspense over who will be his successor,” said Karim Bitar, professor of international relations at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut.

“What will be interesting to see in the next few years is how will Taymour adapt to Lebanese politics.

“His temper is very different from his father’s: he's more discreet, more aloof. We still don't know much about his political views and alignments.”

Despite retaining leadership of the PSP, Mr Joumblatt took a step back from political life in 2018 when he ended his parliamentary career. He was replaced in the national assembly by his son, who was elected in the 2018 and 2022 parliamentary elections.

Mr Joumblatt’s resignation from party leadership after 46 years is “a turning point in Lebanese political history”, according to Mr Bitar.

“Nonetheless, Walid Joumblatt will continue to be a de facto leader of the Progressive Socialist Party. One does not really exit Lebanese politics when one’s name is Walid Joumblatt.”

Mr Joumblatt took over leadership of the PSP, a party with left-wing origins that has supporters primarily from the Druze sect, following his father’s assassination in 1977, two years into Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war.

The post made him the most powerful leader of Lebanon’s Druze community.

Mr Joumblatt deftly navigated Lebanon’s warring landscape, becoming notorious for pitting political parties against each other.

At various points in his political career, Mr Joumblatt was either aligned with Syria, which played a considerable role in Lebanon's civil war and the years following, or against it.

He maintained a significant role in Lebanese politics following the end of the conflict, joining the March 14 movement that was built around opposition to Syria’s military presence and influence in Lebanon.

Lebanon’s political system is built upon confessional quotas. The Druze sect is allotted eight seats in parliament, many of which are routinely won by the PSP, often giving them a decisive say in parliament.

Because of this, Mr Joumblatt was often considered to be a mediator between opposing political parties and played the role of kingmaker on several occasions.