ALBAWABA- Syria marked a historic milestone on Sunday, with its first parliamentary elections since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, as electoral colleges across much of the country voted to fill two-thirds of the new 210-seat People’s Assembly.
The indirect polls, overseen by the transitional government, saw members of electoral bodies casting ballots in Damascus and other major cities under heavy security.
Officials hailed the event as a step toward rebuilding the war-ravaged nation, though the exclusion of Idlib, Suwayda, and Kurdish-controlled areas in the northeast for “security reasons” raised concerns over inclusivity and legitimacy.
Of the 210 seats, 121 are being contested in this round, while 89 will be appointed by interim authorities to ensure representation for marginalized groups.
The assembly is expected to spearhead the drafting of a new constitution and pave the way for full democratic elections within a year.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa called the elections a “historic turning point” in Syria’s path toward unity and democracy.
In a televised address, he vowed that the new parliament would focus on reconciliation, reconstruction, and economic recovery, while warning against foreign interference.
