Syria is set to hold its parliamentary elections between September 15 and September 20, marking a significant milestone in the country’s turbulent political journey. These elections will be the first to take place under the new transitional leadership that assumed control after the dramatic collapse of former President Bashar Assad’s regime. His fall came swiftly in December when rebel forces launched a rapid offensive that led to the end of his long-standing rule. Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, who heads the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, informed state-run media agency SANA about the scheduled dates, confirming the country’s plans to proceed with establishing a new legislative body under the interim government.
According to the electoral framework, Syria’s new 210-member legislature will be composed of both elected and appointed officials. A third of the seats in the People's Assembly will be directly appointed by the acting President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, while the remaining seats will be determined through a public vote. To facilitate this, electoral colleges will be established in each province across Syria, as explained by Hassan al-Daghim, another official from the election committee, in an interview with the Erem News platform. These electoral colleges are intended to allow for regional participation and representation in the legislative process, helping to lay the groundwork for broader political reforms.
The elections are being held under a temporary constitution that was signed by interim President al-Sharaa in March. This interim charter mandates the creation of a transitional body known as the People’s Committee, which will serve as a provisional parliament. This committee is expected to function until a permanent constitution is enacted and comprehensive national elections can be organized. However, this long-term process of political restructuring and stabilization is expected to take several years, reflecting the complexity of rebuilding governance after years of civil war and instability.
The announcement of the elections has emerged amid a backdrop of increasing tensions and polarization within Syria. There is growing division among Syrians regarding the legitimacy and actions of the new authorities based in Damascus. Earlier this month, severe sectarian clashes erupted in the southern province of Sweida, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people. These violent confrontations were triggered by retaliatory kidnappings between armed Bedouin tribes and members of the Druze religious community, exacerbating existing ethnic and sectarian fault lines in the country.
While Syrian government forces intervened with the stated aim of restoring order, their involvement has been widely criticized. Reports suggest that government troops largely supported the Bedouin clans during the clashes and were implicated in atrocities, including the execution of Druze civilians and the burning and looting of their homes. In response to these alarming developments, Israel carried out targeted airstrikes on Syrian government positions, including an attack on the Defense Ministry. The Israeli government justified its intervention by citing the need to protect the Druze population, a minority group with close ethnic ties to communities within Israel.
As Syria prepares for its first elections under the new regime, the situation remains fragile and uncertain. The upcoming vote, though symbolic of progress toward democratic governance, is unfolding against a backdrop of unresolved conflict, deep societal rifts, and external military involvement. The path to stability and genuine political reform appears long and fraught with challenges.
