Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa completes the formation of the country's new 210-member transitional parliament by appointing its final 70 lawmakers. The body, which is scheduled to hold its first session on July 6, 2026, represents the first legislature since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. While the appointments boost female representation to over 20 members and include former political prisoners, critics and civil society groups warn that the transitional framework concentrates power in the presidency.
Syrian transitional parliament formation
- ▪The transitional parliament has a 30-month renewable term and is tasked with drafting a new elections law to prepare for future popular votes
- ▪The new Syrian People's Assembly is scheduled to hold its first session on Monday, July 6, 2026, to swear in members and elect its presidential council
- ▪Syria's Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed the final 70 members of the country's new 210-member transitional parliament on July 1, 2026
Presidential appointment powers
- ▪Syria's Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa directly appoints one-third of the 210 seats in the transitional parliament
- ▪Ahmed al-Sharaa's 70 appointees included 13 individuals who were imprisoned during the rule of ousted President Bashar al-Assad
- ▪Ahmed al-Sharaa's appointees included several Kurdish members from Hasakah governorate to address representation imbalances from the initial selection phase
Women lawmakers representation
- ▪Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed 15 women to the transitional parliament, raising the total number of female lawmakers in the 210-member chamber to 21 or 22
- ▪Only six women were initially chosen as lawmakers during the regional electoral college selection process prior to Ahmed al-Sharaa's appointments
Limited parliamentary authority
- ▪Under a temporary constitution introduced in March 2025, the transitional parliament wields limited power under a presidential ruling system
- ▪There is no constitutional requirement for the Syrian government to win a parliamentary vote of confidence from the transitional parliament
Electoral process criticism
- ▪More than 20 Kurdish parties rejected the lawmakers selected by electoral colleges in May, alleging an approach of exclusion and marginalization
- ▪Fourteen Syrian civil society groups and rights organizations criticized the electoral system, stating it concentrates legislative influence in the presidency
Sweida province postponement
- ▪Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed two representatives from Sweida province to the transitional parliament despite the postponement of local polls
- ▪Sweida province has remained outside state control since sectarian fighting between government forces, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and Druze militias killed 1,700 people
- ▪Electoral college polls were postponed in the predominantly Druze province of Sweida due to security concerns and ongoing sectarian instability
Story comments
Loading comments…