Syria to Hold Parliamentary Elections in September

Reuters

man casts his ballot at a polling station during 2024 parliamentary elections in Syria.

Syria is set to hold parliamentary elections in September, according to the head of the body responsible for organising the electoral process, who spoke to state media on Sunday.

Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, Chairman of the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, informed the state-run news agency SANA that the elections will take place between 15 and 20 September. These will be the first elections conducted under the country’s new authorities, following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in a swift rebel offensive last December.

Under the provisional arrangements, one-third of the 210 parliamentary seats will be appointed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, while the remaining seats are to be filled through popular vote.

In an interview with Erem News, another member of the election committee, Hassan al-Daghim, stated that electoral colleges would be established in each of Syria’s provinces to elect the remaining members.

A temporary constitution, signed by President al-Sharaa in March, stipulates the formation of a People’s Committee to act as an interim parliament until a permanent constitution is adopted and general elections can be held—a process expected to take several years.

The announcement comes amid growing political division within the country regarding the legitimacy of the new authorities in Damascus. Earlier this month, sectarian violence erupted in the southern province of Suwayda, leaving hundreds dead and threatening Syria’s already fragile post-conflict transition.

The clashes, which began two weeks ago, were reportedly triggered by retaliatory kidnappings between armed Bedouin clans and fighters from the Druze religious minority.

Although Syrian government forces intervened, purportedly to end the violence, reports suggest they aligned themselves with the Bedouin clans. Some government troops allegedly executed Druze civilians and set fire to homes, looting properties in the process.

In response, Israel launched airstrikes targeting Syrian government forces and the Ministry of Defence headquarters, stating that the actions were taken to protect the Druze community.

This article was originally published by the Associated Press.



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