Syria's first parliament since Assad's ouster begins legislative work
Syria’s first parliament since the removal of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 was sworn in and began its legislative work this week, a formal step in the country’s post-war transition. Members took their seats and a presidential council was elected as the 210-seat body convened.
The chamber mixes elected and appointed members. Roughly two-thirds were chosen through parliamentary elections held in October 2025, with additional voting in the northeast in May 2026; interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa directly appointed the remaining 70, including 15 women and representatives from minority communities such as Kurds and Alawites. The body has a 30-month term and is tasked with drafting a new elections law and preparing for a fuller popular vote.
The structure concentrates significant influence in the interim presidency, which appoints a third of the legislature and shaped the electoral process for the rest. Whether the parliament becomes a genuine check or largely ratifies executive decisions will be an early measure of how Syria’s transition holds after a civil war that killed an estimated 500,000 people.