DAMASCUS – Syria is poised to conduct its first parliamentary elections under its new leadership between September 15 and 20, 2025, marking a critical milestone in the country’s post‑Assad transition.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed power following the abrupt fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, will oversee a significant expansion of the legislature—from 150 to 210 seats. One-third of these seats (70) will be directly appointed by the president, while the remaining two-thirds will be filled via indirect elections through provincial electoral colleges.
Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, head of the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, confirmed the timeline and electoral design in statements to state media SANA, and elaborated that electoral bodies and district-level subcommittees have been formed across all provinces, including Kurdish-held areas and the Druze-majority Sweida region.
This election follows the adoption of a five-year interim constitution signed in March 2025, which grants al‑Sharaa expanded executive powers, including the authority to appoint a third of parliamentary members and all constitutional court judges. The interim constitution emphasizes Islamic law while guaranteeing some civil liberties, such as women’s representation and freedom of expression.
Observers acknowledge that the electoral structure is a pragmatic response to ongoing infrastructure damage, lack of a recent census, and continued displacement. Critics, however, warn that the new system may consolidate power and limit minority representation, especially given recent sectarian violence.
Notably, Sweida province has experienced deadly clashes between Bedouins and Druze, with hundreds reported killed and thousands displaced—raising questions about the transitional government’s capacity and credibility.
Human rights advocates stress that despite rhetoric about democratic transition, the indirect nature of elections and significant presidential appointments may undermine true political pluralism.
The interim government maintains the election process could take years to fully democratize, with previous statements suggesting that full-scale national votes may require up to four or five years to organize properly.
As Syrian authorities prepare for an unprecedented electoral event since Assad’s reign, the September vote will serve as a litmus test for the country’s fragile journey toward stable governance and inclusive representation.
