Syria’s Sharaa Appoints 70 Lawmakers Ahead of New Parliament Session
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
PARIS, July 1 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed 70 lawmakers to a transitional parliament on Wednesday, clearing the way for the 210-member People’s Assembly to convene next week.
The chamber is expected to hold its first session on Monday, Mohamed Taha al-Ahmed, head of the Higher Judicial Committee for Parliamentary Elections, said at a news conference.
Two-thirds of the assembly’s members were selected last year by regional electoral colleges, while the remaining third was appointed by Sharaa.
The new parliament will operate under a presidential system established after Sharaa ousted Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Its powers remain limited under a temporary constitution introduced in March 2025.
The appointments include 15 women, raising the total number of female lawmakers to 21 after only six women were selected in last year’s process.
Officials did not specify how many of the newly appointed lawmakers came from religious and ethnic minorities. Ten of the seats selected last year went to members of minority communities, including Kurds, Christians and Alawites.
Sharaa has previously said he would use his appointments to address imbalances in representation that emerged from last year’s selection process, particularly the representation of women.
Ahmed said the selection of lawmakers for the predominantly Druze province of Sweida had been postponed until conditions become suitable. The province has remained outside state control since clashes last July between government forces, allied fighters and Druze groups.
The United Nations has said about 1,700 people were killed in the violence.
The formation of the assembly has been seen as a test of Sharaa’s promises of inclusivity after the fall of Assad, whose family ruled Syria for more than five decades.
Critics, including Syrian political figures and civil society groups, say the process gives the presidency significant influence over the legislature and risks weakening parliamentary independence.
The assembly can propose and approve laws. Its term is 30 months and is renewable, and it will hold legislative authority until a permanent constitution is adopted and elections are organized.
