Nadine Moussa: a candidate “from the people and for the people”
The voice of the silent majority?
A lawyer, a political activist, but most importantly a Lebanese patriot; Nadine Moussa is the first woman in the history of Lebanon to run for President of the Republic.
Who is she, and what are her plans for Lebanon?
L’Echo du Cèdre had the privilege of meeting with Mrs Moussa and discussing with her the mission statement of her ambitions as President.
When asked how it felt to have cracked the “glass ceiling” in a still very patriarchal and feudal society, Mrs Moussa put on a big smile and stated: “it’s a mixed feeling. I am happy to be the first woman to take this incentive. I know what women in this country of capable of. However, I don’t base my campaign on the mere fact that I am a woman. I am far and foremost a Lebanese citizen of good will, and this is what I am standing for.”
Mrs Moussa wants to be “the people’s candidate”, when asked why and what she is running for, she said: “I am an independent, progressive, up-to-date with the 21st century Lebanese citizen and through my action I carry the voice of the people. I am from the people. I live with them, I eat with them, I get stuck in traffic with them. I live their everyday worries and endeavours”
Mrs Moussa, or “La voix de la majorité silencieuse” (the voice of the silent majority) as L’Echo du Cèdre chose to portray her, has spent the last few months campaigning on behalf of the people of Lebanon, carrying their voices, and speaking on their behalf. She wants to be known as the candidate who is fighting for the basic rights and privileges of the citizens. “I am from the people and for the people”, as she likes to repeat.
Nadine Moussa has a great vision for Lebanon. Her struggle against corruption is at the basis of her campaign. She believes in a democratic, prosperous, and just Lebanon. A country in which all citizens are equal before the law, irrespective of their gender, their religious background, or political affiliation.
Nadine Moussa is calling for a Third Republic. “Getting rid of the sectarian system we have and re-institutionalising our laws and politics are the only solution for a better future”.
Nadine Moussa has a large following among ordinary citizens. She is counting on their support as she advocates for change and for a real participative democracy. During our meeting, Mrs Moussa repeated several times “I trust the Lebanese people. I draw my popularity from them and base my success on their support”. She is determined to get into parliament one way or another. “Up until now we have been following the current “democratic” system that we have in this country. But eventually we will need to take more radical action if things do not move forward.”
By “more radical action” Mrs Moussa refers to popular pressure on the political establishment; some sort of youth intellectual movement that would contribute new ideas and trigger change.
Nadine Moussa is indeed counting on the new generation Lebanese to effect change. “They are the future; I am behind our youth one hundred percent. We need them; they are our only hope”.
Mrs Moussa has been strongly and actively supporting the Tel3et ri7etkon campaign, a youth movement among many who are protesting against the current garbage and sanitary issue in Lebanon and against corruption in general.
Furthermore, Mrs Moussa is counting on the Lebanese diaspora, those millions of Lebanese living overseas, who have a great influence over their relatives living in Lebanon, and who have kept the ties with their ancestral homeland: “their contribution is crucial”, she said, “we do not only need their money; we need their time and their ideas, we need their energy and their resolve in rebuilding this country”.
When asked if she stood with the saying “Vas, vis, deviens; mais reviens” (Go, live, become, but come back), Mrs Moussa answered “Only go if you have to, but if you can: stay! Because Lebanon needs you”.
Before taking leave, Mrs Moussa concluded that she sees herself following into the footsteps of the “spirit” of the Cedar Revolution (2005-2006) and its freedom fighters whose ideals are still very much alive “these were honourable men and women. They gave their lives for a free and just Lebanon. Unfortunately, despite all their good will, they were silenced. They were silenced, not because of their ideas, but because they belonged to a political elite that was challenging the status quo”.
Nadine Moussa is running as an independent candidate. She does not belong to the current establishment or to any political party in Lebanon “If ever, I will only be silenced by the Lebanese people, until then the fight goes on”.
Erik W. Chiniara
Co-founder and editor of L’Echo du Cèdre
The Paris Institute of Political Studies
Interview conducted with Mrs Nadine Moussa by L’Echo du Cèdre (www.echoducedre.com)
3rd August 2015 / Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
The voice of the silent majority?
A lawyer, a political activist, but most importantly a Lebanese patriot; Nadine Moussa is the first woman in the history of Lebanon to run for President of the Republic.
Who is she, and what are her plans for Lebanon?
L’Echo du Cèdre had the privilege of meeting with Mrs Moussa and discussing with her the mission statement of her ambitions as President.
When asked how it felt to have cracked the “glass ceiling” in a still very patriarchal and feudal society, Mrs Moussa put on a big smile and stated: “it’s a mixed feeling. I am happy to be the first woman to take this incentive. I know what women in this country of capable of. However, I don’t base my campaign on the mere fact that I am a woman. I am far and foremost a Lebanese citizen of good will, and this is what I am standing for.”
Mrs Moussa wants to be “the people’s candidate”, when asked why and what she is running for, she said: “I am an independent, progressive, up-to-date with the 21st century Lebanese citizen and through my action I carry the voice of the people. I am from the people. I live with them, I eat with them, I get stuck in traffic with them. I live their everyday worries and endeavours”
Mrs Moussa, or “La voix de la majorité silencieuse” (the voice of the silent majority) as L’Echo du Cèdre chose to portray her, has spent the last few months campaigning on behalf of the people of Lebanon, carrying their voices, and speaking on their behalf. She wants to be known as the candidate who is fighting for the basic rights and privileges of the citizens. “I am from the people and for the people”, as she likes to repeat.
Nadine Moussa has a great vision for Lebanon. Her struggle against corruption is at the basis of her campaign. She believes in a democratic, prosperous, and just Lebanon. A country in which all citizens are equal before the law, irrespective of their gender, their religious background, or political affiliation.
Nadine Moussa is calling for a Third Republic. “Getting rid of the sectarian system we have and re-institutionalising our laws and politics are the only solution for a better future”.
Nadine Moussa has a large following among ordinary citizens. She is counting on their support as she advocates for change and for a real participative democracy. During our meeting, Mrs Moussa repeated several times “I trust the Lebanese people. I draw my popularity from them and base my success on their support”. She is determined to get into parliament one way or another. “Up until now we have been following the current “democratic” system that we have in this country. But eventually we will need to take more radical action if things do not move forward.”
By “more radical action” Mrs Moussa refers to popular pressure on the political establishment; some sort of youth intellectual movement that would contribute new ideas and trigger change.
Nadine Moussa is indeed counting on the new generation Lebanese to effect change. “They are the future; I am behind our youth one hundred percent. We need them; they are our only hope”.
Mrs Moussa has been strongly and actively supporting the Tel3et ri7etkon campaign, a youth movement among many who are protesting against the current garbage and sanitary issue in Lebanon and against corruption in general.
Furthermore, Mrs Moussa is counting on the Lebanese diaspora, those millions of Lebanese living overseas, who have a great influence over their relatives living in Lebanon, and who have kept the ties with their ancestral homeland: “their contribution is crucial”, she said, “we do not only need their money; we need their time and their ideas, we need their energy and their resolve in rebuilding this country”.
When asked if she stood with the saying “Vas, vis, deviens; mais reviens” (Go, live, become, but come back), Mrs Moussa answered “Only go if you have to, but if you can: stay! Because Lebanon needs you”.
Before taking leave, Mrs Moussa concluded that she sees herself following into the footsteps of the “spirit” of the Cedar Revolution (2005-2006) and its freedom fighters whose ideals are still very much alive “these were honourable men and women. They gave their lives for a free and just Lebanon. Unfortunately, despite all their good will, they were silenced. They were silenced, not because of their ideas, but because they belonged to a political elite that was challenging the status quo”.
Nadine Moussa is running as an independent candidate. She does not belong to the current establishment or to any political party in Lebanon “If ever, I will only be silenced by the Lebanese people, until then the fight goes on”.
Erik W. Chiniara
Co-founder and editor of L’Echo du Cèdre
The Paris Institute of Political Studies
Interview conducted with Mrs Nadine Moussa by L’Echo du Cèdre (www.echoducedre.com)
3rd August 2015 / Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
Article interview Nadine Moussa - Erik Chiniara - 03.08.2015 |