In a surprising turn of events, Syria is set to hold its first parliamentary election since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. However, the streets of Damascus show little sign of the impending election, with many Syrians seemingly unaware of the political event that could shape the country’s future.
According to ABC News, the election is scheduled to take place on Sunday, with more than 1,500 candidates vying for seats in the assembly. However, the lack of awareness among the Syrian population raises questions about the legitimacy and transparency of the electoral process. Critics argue that the election is a mere formality to consolidate power in the hands of President Ahmed al-Shara, who has been accused of authoritarian tendencies.
On the other hand, supporters of the election view it as a potential milestone for the war-torn country. The New York Times reports that some believe the vote could signal a new beginning for Syria, paving the way for political stability and reconstruction efforts. However, the indirect nature of the election, with a third of the members appointed by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, has raised concerns about the democratic integrity of the process.
In a related development, France 24 highlights that the assembly will have a renewable 30-month mandate, with just 14 percent of the candidates being women. This lack of gender diversity further underscores the challenges facing Syria as it seeks to rebuild and transition to a more inclusive political system.
The election results could have far-reaching implications for the region, as seen in the recent victory of populist right-wing billionaire Andrej Babis in the Czech parliamentary election. The Sydney Morning Herald notes that Babis’ win could steer the staunchly pro-Ukraine Czech Republic towards a more pro-Russian path, highlighting the geopolitical significance of electoral outcomes.
As Syrians prepare to cast their votes in the first post-Assad parliamentary election, the world watches with bated breath to see how this pivotal moment in the country’s history will unfold. Whether it will mark a new chapter of progress and reconciliation or further entrench divisions and power struggles remains to be seen.
Political Bias Index: Neutral
References:
1. ABC News: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/syrians-unaware-parliamentary-election-assads-fall-126208757
2. The Sydney Morning Herald: https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/populist-right-wing-billionaire-andrej-babis-wins-czech-parliamentary-election-20251005-p5n05l.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_world
3. NDTV: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/trumpist-czech-billionaire-andrej-babis-set-to-return-to-power-after-election-win-9398123
4. The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/world/middleeast/syria-elections.html
5. France 24: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20251005-syria-to-select-members-of-first-post-assad-parliament-in-indirect-vote
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