The political framework of Libya

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

Chairman of the Presidential Council: Mohammed al-MANFI (since 5 February 2021)
Prime Minister: Abd-al-Hamid DUBAYBAH (since 5 February 2021)

Next Election Dates

Parliamentary and presidential elections were initially scheduled for 21 December 2021. However, on that day, the head of the High National Election Commission (HNEC) ordered the dissolution of electoral committees, resulting in an indefinite postponement. New legislative elections were planned for 2022, but on 23 January, Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh called for the adoption of a new constitution before any vote could take place. Since then, both parliamentary and presidential elections have been delayed. As of now, legislative elections are expected in December 2025, while the presidential vote remains indefinitely postponed.

Main Political Parties

The Government of National Accord (GNA) was established as an interim authority following Libya’s civil war and was recognised by the United Nations. However, it faced strong opposition from the Tobruk-based Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Khalifa Haftar. In March 2021, the House of Representatives (HoR), formerly aligned with the LNA, approved the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in an effort to bridge the divide between rival administrations.

The main political parties in the country include:

- National Forces Alliance (NFA): liberal, moderate coalition comprising at least 58 parties, holds almost half of parliamentary seats
- Justice and Construction Party (JCP): right-wing, abstains from government, large Muslim Brotherhood faction, Islamist, can no longer operate openly
- National Front Party: centre-left, liberal, progressive
- Union for Homeland: centre, localist, populist
- National Centrist Party: centre, nationalist, Islamic democracy, Islamic liberalism
- Homeland Party: conservative, Islamic democracy.

Executive Power

Under Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's political and economic system was based on the Green Book, which outlined his "Third Universal Theory"—a proposed synthesis of liberalism and Marxism.

After Gaddafi’s fall in 2011, the UN recognised the Transitional National Council (TNC) as the interim authority. It was succeeded in 2015 by the Government of National Accord (GNA), which faced opposition from the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Khalifa Haftar.

In March 2021, a Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed to unify rival administrations, with Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh as Prime Minister. However, political divisions persisted, and in 2022 the eastern House of Representatives appointed a rival government under Fathi Bashagha.

As of 2025, Libya remains divided between the Tripoli-based GNU and the eastern-based Government of National Stability, with ongoing UN-led efforts to organise national elections and reunify institutions.

Legislative Power

Under Gaddafi, Libya had a unicameral legislature known as the General People's Congress (GPC). Its members—referred to as secretaries—were elected from around 600 local units called basic popular congresses, serving four-year terms.

Today, Libya’s legislative structure remains divided. The High Council of State functions as an advisory body, primarily supporting efforts to reconcile the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (formerly the GNA) with the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR). The Council has 145 members, appointed by the remnants of the former General National Congress, and provides recommendations to both the HoR and the Tripoli-based executive.

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

World Rank:

165/180

Indicator of Political Freedom

Ranking:

Not Free

Political Freedom:

7/7

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House