Syrian Electoral Colleges Vote First Post-Assad Parliament

Syria is undergoing a significant political transition with its first parliamentary elections since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, marking a move away from over 50 years of dictatorship and a 14-year civil war. The elections, held indirectly through regional electoral colleges, will fill two-thirds of the 210-seat People's Assembly, while interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa will appoint the remaining third, reflecting a controlled transition given security concerns and population displacement. Approximately 1,570 candidates, including 14% women, competed for seats, but voting was postponed in regions with significant minority populations, raising questions about inclusivity and representativeness. President al-Sharaa has acknowledged the election process as incomplete but necessary for current circumstances, emphasizing the need for national unity and legislative progress during the transitional period. The new assembly will serve a renewable 30-month term, tasked with drafting a new constitution and election laws to pave the way for future democratic governance. Critics argue the elections fall short of full democracy due to the indirect voting system and centralized candidate selection, but the process remains a pivotal step in Syria's political reconstruction.