Syria Prepares New Parliament as Interim Government Seeks Stability

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Syria is moving forward with setting up a new parliament as the country’s interim government tries to restore stability after years of war. The government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, is working to rebuild state institutions and gain support both inside Syria and from other countries.

The new assembly will have 210 seats. One-third of these seats will be directly appointed by President al-Sharaa, while the remaining seats will be chosen by local committees, which will operate under the supervision of the country’s electoral commission. The parliament’s main jobs will include approving new laws aimed at changing decades of strict state control over the economy and ratifying treaties that could reshape Syria’s relations with other countries.

Officials say the parliament will also help prepare the country for a wider democratic process after the removal of the previous president in December, following nearly 14 years of civil war. However, critics argue that the current system may not fairly represent all communities in Syria, especially those who have been marginalized or displaced during the conflict.

Originally, authorities planned to hold the election in September. However, the voting in some provinces, including Suwayda, Hasakah, and Raqqa, has been delayed due to security concerns. Suwayda recently experienced clashes between local Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin tribes. Meanwhile, Hasakah and Raqqa are partially controlled by Kurdish-led forces known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, which complicates the election process in these regions.

Earlier this year, in March, the interim government issued a constitutional declaration to guide Syria during this transition period. This declaration highlights the role of Islamic law in the country, but it also guarantees women’s rights and freedom of expression. Critics, however, have warned that the declaration gives too much power to the country’s leadership and could limit true democratic participation.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was formerly a commander in the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, which played a major role in the fall of the previous president, has also focused on building relationships with neighboring countries. He has emphasized the importance of security talks with Israel. He stressed that any agreement must respect Syria’s territorial integrity and put an end to violations of Syrian airspace by Israel.

As Syria moves forward with these plans, the new parliament is expected to be a key part of rebuilding the nation. It will oversee important legislation, approve new treaties, and lay the foundation for democratic reforms. At the same time, the country faces serious challenges, including ongoing security threats, regional disputes, and concerns about whether all communities will have a voice in the new political system.

This election and the formation of the new parliament are being closely watched both inside Syria and internationally. They are seen as a test of whether the country can move beyond years of conflict and start building a more stable, inclusive, and democratic future.

Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, parliament election