Kristy Asseily joins The Beirut Banyan to discuss her candidacy for Beirut's 2025 municipal elections.

Our discussion covers her recent return to Lebanon and passion for grassroots politics, Beirut Madinati's efforts in retrospect, and the short and long-term platform the list is advocating.

We also talk about voter engagement, communal concerns, municipal relations with the Muhafez, digitization efforts, learning from NGOs and why the municipality matters.

Kristy Asseily is a member of the National Bloc.

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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:32 Professional background
3:13 Return to Lebanon
5:30 Municipal vs national politics
6:38 Decision to join National Bloc
8:26 Beirut Madinati in retrospect
13:23 Coalition disadvantage
15:03 Voter engagement
17:21 Sectarian concerns vs numbers
20:03 Striking names
23:22 Platform & financial audit
27:14 Starting small
30:45 Relations with the Muhafez
35:13 Collecting taxes
37:42 Digitization
40:59 Ghost projects
42:21 Accusations & false assumptions
44:17 Mobile app
47:53 Citizen forums
49:05 Bygone urban planning
53:17 Learning from NGOs
54:14 Reinvigorating the port
58:13 Vacancies & rent rates
1:01:26 Commute & accessibility
1:02:40 Political void & communal votes
1:08:15 Why the Municipality matters