Syria’s Preparation for a New Parliament Tests Reconstruction Efforts

Protesters march in Syria over fraught parliament election process (Pexels)

In a bid for political legitimacy, the newly established Syrian government announced that it would hold its first parliamentary elections on October 5. The parliament, which will be the first legislative body since the overthrow of the al-Assad regime in December 2024, is expected to play a crucial role in the state’s political and economic rebirth following years of conflict.

The People's Assembly had very limited power under al-Assad. The ruling National Progressive Front and its allies controlled and managed the elections, which many regarded as little more than a rubber stamp for his regime. Therefore, the upcoming elections are widely anticipated as a test of the present government’s public commitment toward plurality and institutional reform.

However, the voting process of the election has received much criticism for giving power to the subordinates of President Ahmed al-Sharaa to form a parliamentary majority of loyalists. Various popular media outlets and opposition groups, including al-Yaum TV, have criticized the absence of popular voting. Sharaa will appoint one-third of the 210 seats directly, while the electoral subcommittees of the respective districts will choose the remaining candidates. Various Syrian human rights organizations condemned the election in a joint statement, asserting that it would be “reinforcing personal loyalty rather than representing the popular will.”

The controversial election process also comes amidst growing sectarian violence. Citing such instability, the government has preemptively suspended voting in the northeast and southern provinces that are inhabited by many minority Kurd and Druze populations. The exclusion of Syrian Democratic Party-controlled areas has deepened suspicion of Sharaa’s Sunni Islamist-led government, casting further skepticism to the exercise.

These tensions compound ongoing economic devastation and political instability that constrain the country’s electoral process further. Economic devastation and political instability following over a decade of war have further been cited as major constraints. The interim government defended this position in a statement in June, asserting that "the reality in Syria does not permit the holding of traditional elections.” According to the United Nations Development Program, the Civil War destroyed or rendered dysfunctional nearly half of the state’s infrastructure and assets. While this devastation has provided a pretext for centralizing authority, opponents have expressed concern that al-Sharaa’s government has consolidated excessive power in its own hands.

With many Syrians denied the opportunity to vote for government-appointed candidates, preparations for a new parliament are facing mounting criticism. Its legitimacy has been questioned by many parties, with Bassam Kuwatli, President of the Syrian Liberal Party, calling it “a model that is more of appointments and selections.” It is uncertain whether the People's Assembly will be able to deliver an inclusive and pluralistic democracy to Syria.