syria to Hold First Parliamentary Election in Over 50 years
Damascus,Syria – May 13,2024 – Syria will hold its first parliamentary election in over five decades on June 19,2024,marking a potential,albeit limited,step toward political change after decades of authoritarian rule. The election, announced by the Syrian government on May 12, 2024, will see citizens elect members to the 250-seat People’s Council.
This election arrives after more than 50 years without a parliamentary vote under the Assad family’s rule-first Hafez al-Assad, and since 2000, his son Bashar al-Assad. While the vote is being presented by the government as a presentation of democratic progress, its significance is heavily contested given the ongoing Syrian Civil War, the government’s control over the political landscape, and the exclusion of notable portions of the population. The outcome will likely reinforce the existing power structure, but the election process itself is being closely watched by international observers for any indication of genuine political opening.
The election will encompass all of Syria’s 15 governorates. Candidates must be over 25 years old and meet specific criteria set by the government, including demonstrating national loyalty.The process is overseen by the Supreme Constitutional Court, which has the authority to vet candidates.
The Syrian conflict, which began in March 2011, has resulted in an estimated 5.6 million refugees and 6.8 million internally displaced persons, according to UNHCR data as of April 2024. The government controls roughly 60% of Syrian territory, wiht the remaining areas held by various opposition groups, including Kurdish-led forces and remnants of rebel factions. Voting will not be possible in areas outside of government control.
International reaction to the election proclamation has been largely critical. The United States State Department stated on May 13, 2024, that the election “lacks any international legitimacy” and will not represent the will of the Syrian people. The European Union echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for a UN-supervised political process that includes all Syrians.
Following the election, the newly elected parliament will serve a four-year term. Its primary function is to legislate and approve government policies, though real power remains concentrated in the hands of the President. The election’s impact on the ongoing conflict and the future of Syria remains uncertain,but it represents a significant moment in the country’s complex political trajectory.