BEIRUT — The third round of municipal elections will take place in the Beirut, Baalbek-Hermel and Bekaa governorates beginning on Sunday, with attention focused on the performance of major political parties amid an evolving political scene in the aftermath of the 13-month war between Israel and Hezbollah and the subsequent election of a Western-backed President Joseph Aoun earlier this year.

Municipal elections are being held across the country throughout May. The first round was held in the Mount Lebanon and Keserwan-Jbeil governorates on Sunday, May 4, and the second in the North and Akkar governorates on Sunday, May 11. The fourth and final round is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, in the South and Nabatiyeh governorates, areas ravaged by the recent war.

The results thus far point to major shifts in the country’s political landscape. The Christian Lebanese Forces (LF) appeared to secure significant wins in some municipalities at the expense of their long-time rival, the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), while the Shiite Hezbollah group maintained its dominance in its known areas of traditional strongholds.

Meanwhile, in the Sunni-majority city of Tripoli, the vote fragmented amid multiple competing lists, reflecting recent divisions in the Sunni community.