In this episode, we speak to Marc Geara from Tahalof Watani on how the political party is preparing for the elections, what they learned from the 2018 parliamentary elections and Marc's former experience running in the 2016 Beirut municipal election, and why it's important to remain hopeful despite Lebanon's collapse.

To keep up with Tahalof Watani's work, check out their website and social media pages:

Website: https://tahalofwatani.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tahalofwatani/ @TahalofWatani 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TahalofWatani @TahalofWatani

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ta7alofWatani @Ta7alofWatani

The Sawti Podcast is co-hosted by Samir Ballouz, Tarek Khalil, and Tamara Rasamny. Edited and produced by Tamara Rasamny. Sting by Roupen Bezdikian. Cover art by Karine Sawan.

Though Sawti is an Impact Lebanon initiative and The Sawti Podcast stems from Sawti, there is no editorial control from Sawti or Impact Lebanon, and no reviewal of interviews or episodes before publishing from these groups.

Views discussed in this podcast do not represent Sawti Voice or Impact Lebanon.

Introduction to Marc Geara 0:58

Introduction to Tahalof Watani 1:22

Tahalof Watani's values and aims 3:03

Tahalof Watani's role in the 2018 Parliamentary Elections 5:31

Coordination of groups in forming 2018 parliamentary coalitions 6:54

Diaspora outreach 9:48

Creating hope and encouraging voter participation 10:42

Kulluna Irada 12:26

Tahalof Watani's stance on coalitions and certain political parties 13:01

Kulluna Irada and Nahwal Watan 14:21

Marc's experience running with Beirut Madinati in 2016 Municipal Elections 15:29.

Distribution of votes in 2016 Municipal Elections 16:58

Potential candidates 19:47

Funding 20:45

Tahalof Watani's areas of influence 22:11

Timeline of coalitions and lists 22:38

Hope amidst a failing country 24:58

Reforms and Lebanon's recovery 27:02

Marc's expectations for the elections 28:58

Tahalof Watani's programs and ongoing work 33:29

April 13 coalition and Tahalof Watani as centrists 36:56

Kataeb and Hezbollah 41:59

On a positive note 47:17

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