Syria to hold first Parliamentary elections since Assad’s fall 0 in September

Syria will hold parliamentary elections in September, the head of a body tasked with organising the election process told state media Sunday (July 27, 2025).

Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, chairman of the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, told state news agency SANA that elections will take place between Sept 15 and 20. They will be the first to take place under the country’s new authorities after the fall of former President Bashar Assad in a lightning rebel offensive in December.

One third of the 210 seats will the appointed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, with the rest to be elected.

In a recent interview with the Erem News site, another member of the elections committee, Hassan al-Daghim, said an electoral college will be set up in each of Syria’s provinces to vote for the elected seats.

A temporary constitution signed by al-Sharaa in March called for a People’s Committee to be set up to serve as an interim parliament until a permanent constitution is adopted and general elections held, a process that could take years.

The announcement of impending elections comes at a time when the country is increasingly divided in its views of the new authorities in Damascus after sectarian violence broke out in the southern province of Sweida earlier this month. The fighting killed hundreds of people and threatened to unravel Syria’s fragile postwar transition.

Violent clashes broke out two weeks ago, sparked by tit-for-tat kidnappings between armed Bedouin clans and fighters from the Druze religious minority.

Syrian government forces intervened, ostensibly to end the fighting, but effectively sided with the clans. Some government fighters reportedly executed Druze civilians and burned and looted houses. Israel intervened, launching airstrikes on government forces and on the Defense Ministry headquarters, which it said was in defense of the Druze minority.

Syria is set to hold its first parliamentary elections between September 15 and 20, 2025, marking a pivotal milestone in the country’s transitional phase following the fall of Bashar al‑Assad in December 2024 AP NewsWikipedia+1. The lightning rebel offensive that led to Assad’s overthrow ended his brutal authoritarian rule and opened the door for a new political era WikipediaBusiness Insider.

The Transition Blueprint

These elections are being conducted under a transitional framework. President Ahmed al‑Sharaa, who assumed office during the post‑Assad power transition, signed an interim constitution in March 2025, establishing a People’s Committee to serve as a provisional legislative body until a permanent constitution and general elections are implemented Wikipedia+1.

Election Structure: Appointments & Indirect Voting

The People’s Assembly will comprise 210 seats. However, rather than direct public voting, Syria is adopting an indirect electoral system:

• 140 seats will be filled through electoral colleges set up in each province—composed of local committees of experts and community figures—to elect members of parliament Wikipedia+1.

• The remaining 70 seats will be appointed directly by President al‑Sharaa AP NewsWikipediaAnadolu Ajansı.

This formula aims to balance technocratic expertise (70% of MPs), community leadership, and centralized oversight, reflecting the delicate political moment Wikipedia.

Stumbling Blocks: Security and Inclusivity

Despite the symbolic importance of these elections, serious concerns cloud their legitimacy and execution:

• Sectarian violence in Sweida (Druze-majority province) between armed Bedouin clans and Druze fighters led to heavy casualties and human rights violations. Some government forces were accused of siding with Bedouin factions, including alleged executions of Druze civilians AP NewseuronewsAl JazeeraWikipedia.

• Consequently, the government postponed voting in Sweida—as well as in the Kurdish-held regions of Hasakah and Raqqa—citing lack of a safe operating environment ReutersWikipedia. The Kurdish-led AANES criticized these moves as undemocratic and exclusionary, highlighting that more than five million Syrians would effectively be disenfranchised Wikipedia.

Critical Perspectives

Voices from civil society and international observers offer mixed assessments:

• Anwar al‑Bunni, a respected Syrian human rights lawyer, sees the indirect electoral process as a pragmatic measure given the tumultuous conditions, provided it includes civil society and local leaders Wikipedia.

• In contrast, Jasim Al‑Azzawi (Al Jazeera) stresses that without genuine security and reconciliation, these elections risk exacerbating sectarian rifts rather than healing them Wikipedia.

• On the international front, the European Union welcomed the formation of the Higher Election Committee and pledged to support the transitional legislature Wikipedia.

What’s at Stake

1. Legitimizing the Transition
   This parliament could serve as a critical anchor for Syria’s transitional governance—if it demonstrates inclusivity and results in meaningful representation.

2. Bridging Divisions or Deepening Fault Lines
   Whether indirectly elected bodies can heal or widen sectarian and regional divisions depends on how smoothly and transparently the process unfolds.

3. A Roadmap for Future Democracy
   If successful, the elections would help pave the way for drafting a permanent constitution and holding fully democratic general elections in the future AP NewsWikipedia.

In Summary

Syria’s first post‑Assad parliamentary elections, scheduled for September 15–20, 2025, represent both an opportunity and a challenge. Conducted under a new interim constitution, they use a hybrid system of indirect elections and presidential appointments. But with areas excluded due to security, and concerns over fairness and inclusivity, the legitimacy of this embryonic legislature remains uncertain.

Still, in a country emerging from decades of war and authoritarianism, this electoral experiment could serve as a crucial stepping stone—if it builds bridges rather than barriers.