It's finally Election Day in Lebanon and the Lebanese have been swarming the polling stations since early morning in what is a historic event that could change the fate of Lebanon.
Lebanon's cash-strapped leaders are bribing their base with free Covid-19 jabs ahead of next year's elections, in what observers say is the latest variant on an old corruption trick. The "vaccine for vote" system builds on decades-old patronage practices that have seen leaders buy their way into office by offering voters money or public sector employment. But with state resources stretched to their limit by a severe economic crisis and.
Lebanon’s leaders offer free Covid-19 jabs in return for votes
Out of nearly 900,000 people who have received vaccines in Lebanon, nearly 60,000 benefited from party handouts, said Mohamad Haidar, a health ministry adviser.
Thursday 10/06/2021
A Lebanese health worker prepares a shot of the Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine in Beirut. (AFP)
BEIRUT – Lebanon’s cash-strapped leaders are bribing their base with free Covid-19 jabs ahead of next year’s elections, in what observers say is the latest variant on an old corruption trick.
The “vaccine for vote” system builds on decades-old patronage practices that have seen leaders buy their way into office by offering voters money or public sector employment.