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Fifth day of demonstrations in the center of Beirut, October 21, 2019. REUTERS / Ali Hashisho

In Lebanon, the government presents its measures to calm the anger of the street. No new taxes in 2020, the salaries of former ministers and deputies halved, new taxes on banks ... Not enough for the protesters. For the fifth day in a row, there were tens of thousands on the streets of Beirut and the country against a corrupt political class.

With our correspondent in Beirut, Nicolas Feldmann

From the steps of the imposing Al-Amine Mosque, Nour dominates the crowd. A tide of red and white flags struck by green cedar shakes in front of her. The 26-year-old student shows up for the fifth day in a row. " We need electricity 24 hours a day, we need clean water, we need a health system for the elderly. We are asking for a better life here. That's all we want. "

What the people also want is " the fall of the regime ". Patrick studies political science. " The barrier of fear was broken for the first time. We all complain about the situation, I speak as a young, born after the civil war [1975-1990]. We inherited a system that today, we can not stand anymore. No confidence, we stay there, we want a transitional government with special prerogatives. "

In the afternoon, the announcements of the Prime Minister resonate in the speakers. " Revolution ! The protesters reply.

→ Read also: Lebanon: social networks, sound box of protestors anger

On a sidewalk, Mahdi and Ali take up the slogans, hanging between two trees in a hammock. " We'll stay until they solve the problems. They can not come just with a paper with so-called solutions and say "it's good, everything is fine". No, they have been doing it for 30 years. The situation is getting worse and worse. They can not make fun of us like that. "

Banks will remain closed for the fourth day in a row and the country is expected to idle.

The Lebanese are used to the promises. The leaders did nothing to improve the situation in Lebanon. We do not know if the movement can bring change, but it's better to try than stay at home and resign yourself to reality.

[Reportage] Five days after its beginning, the movement still has no leadership, and wants to avoid any political exploitation 22/10/2019 - by Laure Stephan Play

On the government side, Saad Hariri said he was open to holding early elections if it is the will of the people. What should we expect if new parliamentary elections are to be held in Lebanon? Elements of answer with Agnès Levallois, Institute for research and studies Mediterranean-Middle East.

There were some civil society movements that ran in last year's general election, which had not been successful since only one MP from this civil society could emerge. One can imagine that after a movement that has been going on for five days in Lebanon that some movements may have time to strengthen themselves, to propose a program allowing a new political offer that comes out of the confessional system which is the system that directs Lebanese political life and that could perhaps allow the emergence of new voices to satisfy this demand for political renewal. This system constantly requires a game of balance between all political forces and prevents any advance, any decision.

Agnès Levallois 22/10/2019 - by RFI Play