They brandished only one flag, the national flag. In Lebanon, which has always been ruled by confessionalism, hundreds of thousands of young Lebanese gathered under one banner on Sunday, October 20, to demand a profound change in the system.
All blame political leaders for looting the country. "We want change," says Hassan, a 24-year-old taxi driver who has been involved in the movement for the past year, "all these things are for change." We promised a lot, but every time, we go back, we do not move forward. "
He is well aware of the problem of taxes, particularly on fuel, which affect his daily work. Its district of Dahieh, stronghold of Hezbollah, is one of the poorest of Beirut. Half of the young people do not work. And the second half left the country to work abroad. A situation that has become the norm in Lebanon.
"A more equitable system"
Once his service is over, Hassan finds his neighbors. The demonstrations are at the heart of the discussions. All believe that the austerity budget voted last July penalizes the poorest. "These taxes affect a large part of the population, especially those who have the lowest wages, the poor, regrets Brahim, a resident of the neighborhood.They do not take into account the economic situation of the poorest, they should set up. a more equitable system. "
Here in Dahieh, three quarters of the population is pro-Hezbollah. Shiite leader Hassan Nasralleh is not in favor of a change of government as protesters demand. But for many young Shiites like Hassan, it is time to demand a political renewal.
Lebanon is the third most indebted country in the world behind Japan and Greece. Public debt rises to more than 86 billion euros according to the International Monetary Fund.