The wage scale law was cast into question when a contentious tax hike law intended to fund it was annulled by the Constitutional Council on September 22, partly on the grounds that it should have been included in the annual budget. The government has operated without a budget since 2005; although the current coalition did manage to agree a draft 2017 budget in March, it has not been passed by parliament.
Stability in southwest Syria could allow the beginnings of reconstruction, with some opportunities for Lebanese ports and contractors.
Heightened conflict between Hezbollah and Israel would undermine growing investor confidence in Lebanon.
The success of public-sector strikes could revive momentum in Beirut for protests against government corruption and poor service delivery.
