New Syrian Parliament Takes Shape as Local Bodies Appoint Legislators Under Post-Assad Interim Constitution

Latest Developments

• Syria Announces First Results: The Syrian authorities announced preliminary results of the first parliamentary selection process since the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship in December 2024. Under Syria’s interim constitution, two-thirds of the 210 members of parliament are appointed by local electoral bodies, while President Ahmed al-Sharaa will hand-pick the remaining 70 members. On October 6, Syrian officials announced that 140 out of a total of 1,578 candidates had been elected, the vast bulk of whom are drawn from the Sunni majority.
• Provinces Excluded From Polling: Ballots were cast by approximately 7,000 electors selected by local election boards, which were in turn appointed by the Sharaa government’s Higher Committee for the Syrian People’s Assembly Elections. Voting was postponed in parts of Raqqa and Hasakah provinces, which are controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, and Suwayda, where the Druze minority group predominates and where sectarian violence broke out in July. The Higher Committee stated that voting in these provinces was postponed due to the “security and political situation,” adding that the 20 seats allocated to these regions will remain vacant until elections can be held.
• Assad Loyalists Excluded: Supporters of the former Assad regime were excluded from the process, with exceptions for those who resigned or defected. Also excluded were those under the age of 25 and anyone associated with a terrorist organization.

FDD Expert Response

“No one should be referring to what is happening in Syria as an ‘election.’ The people are not voting. Rather, committees hand-picked by presidential appointees are choosing among candidates as they see fit. This is all part of the design laid out in Syria’s interim constitution, which concentrates executive, legislative, and judicial power in the president’s hands while adding a facade of public participation.” — David Adesnik, Vice President of Research

“These results are hardly surprising. The absence of genuine representation reflects the absence of civic life after years of political oppression under the Assad regime. But the ball is now in Sharaa’s court as he appoints the remaining 70 members of parliament. Will he fill the chamber with token minority figures who align with the government to appease the West? Or will he stack it with loyalists who will never question him?” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Will Syria’s New President Live Up to the World’s Hope? The Signs Aren’t Good,” by Hussain Abdul-Hussian

“The Quiet Return of Hezbollah’s Smuggling Network in Syria,” by Ahmad Sharawi

“The New Syrian Regime’s Dilemma,” by Carey Abramson and David Adesnik

“Syria’s new president shows progress, but will he hold firm to his promises of peace?” by Ahmad Sharawi