Syria’s First Post-Assad Elections: A Bold Step Toward Democracy or a Fragile Hope?
Syria announced parliamentary elections for September 15-20, 2025, on July 27, 2025. This is a significant historic event, as this will be the first election since the dramatic fall of Bashar al-Assad in December, 2024, which was made possible by the Syrian people and the FSA (Free Syrian Army). Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, the chairman of the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly (Parliament) Elections, told the Syrian state news agency SANA that the elections represented the beginning of a new era under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. There are 210 seats to fill, one-third appointed by al-Sharaa, and two-thirds elected via an indirect voting system. This monumental step forward for Syria has generated a tone of both hope and reluctance. Can these elections represent stability in a country mired in sectarian violence, broken logistics, and a fractured society, or do they run the risk of deepening divides? Now, here’s what we do know about this momentous occasion.
A New Electoral Framework
The 2025 parliamentary elections entail a temporary, indirect electoral process rather than a direct electoral process as in the Ba’athist era elections, which were a “rubber stamp” process for Assad’s regime. 70 of the 210 seats in the People’s Assembly will be appointed by President al-Sharaa, while the remaining 140s will be selected through electoral colleges in each of Syria’s 14 governorates. Hassan al-Daghim, a member of the committee overseeing the elections, said that, in each of Syria’s 65 administrative districts, local committees of experts and community figures will nominate candidates. Each district will nominate 30 – 50 people who will make up the various electoral colleges. This indirect system found in the 2025 Interim Constitution is a compromise, and has been used in lieu direct elections, due to, according to Syrian human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni, logistical issues including outdated civil registries and infrastructure. The whole process is likely to conclude in late august, with an aim of having a 30-month Parliamentary term with the hope to renew the elections once that term is completed.
The Context: A Nation in Transition
The elections come after a rapid rebel offensive in December 2024 that ousted Assad, ending decades of Ba’athist rule in Syria. The last election was conducted in July 2024 — and since it was under the rule of Assad — the Ba’ath Party obtained 169 of the 250 seats with a mere 38.16% turnout – marred by irregularities and boycotts reportedly taking place in areas like Suwayda. The authorities dissolved this assembly as well in January 2025, and revoked the Office of the President; and then established an interim Legislative Council under law number 2 of 2025. Now conducting elections is supposed to legitimize the transitional government, and there is a lot of difficulties to do so. Recently, sectarian violence erupted in Sweida over kidnappings between Bedouin clans and Druze fighters and caused clashes which left hundreds dead, and Israeli airstrikes struck Syrian forces. Syrian forces have allegedly executed Druze civilians in that region of Sweida and the transient violence has diminished trust in the new leadership in Damascus. There are overwhelmingly cynical X posts that encapsulate the lack of legitimacy – for example, @AimenDean called out the appointment of 70 MPs to the new Legislation as disgraceful and an insult to legitimacy.
Challenges to a Free and Fair Election
Syria’s precarious postwar state is far from ideal. The system will limit democratic participation even though the indirect electoral system is admittedly feasible in a number of ways. No seats will be filled by direct popular vote. Regions under the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) purview like Raqqa and al-Hasakah may not participate all together, including the fact that the committee is considering using indirect methods through local figures. Al-Bunni emphasized that there are no political parties and the Assad regime has provided citizenship to Iranian militant fighters. Likewise, the lack of infrastructure for direct elections complicates this further. In addition to the electoral challenges, unregistered displaced persons may postpone civilian elections for at least four years. In Suwayda, there were protests with demonstrators attacking polling stations in 2024, perhaps indicating future unrest, especially in light of deadly violence. Additionally, the Kurdish National Council already claimed the elections are “illegitimate,” indicating a lack of regard for United Nations resolutions.
Political and International Implications
The elections are a significant test for al-Sharaa’s government, working to stabilize Syria and restore relationships with neighbouring countries – like Turkey. However, one-third of MPs were actually appointed, drawing criticism from detractors who argue it is not in keeping with a democratic ideal, who shared relevant information and argued the assembly had expanded from 150 to 210, which they believed was motion towards more inclusive representation. However, critics see this as centralisation and consolidation of power. Internationally, the elections are being scrutinised, including overseas opposition groups who called elections “absurd” and questioned their legitimacy. Israel summoned fighters in Sweida for its intervention demonstrating the instability of the contested region, where world powers are watching closely, as Syria finds its post war identity. The government’s management of Iraq-style sectarianism and procedures for inclusion in the elections for abled, marginalized citizens as suggested by al-Bunni is likely to affect the legitimacy of elections.
What’s Next for Syria?
On June 2, 2025, the Higher Committee—established via Presidential Decree 66—will hurry to complete organizing an elections process within 60-90 days. The process will begin in June, culminating with a one-day vote in August or September to create a new People’s Assembly. However, the committee will need to close logistical gaps, engagement of regions, and manage widespread public outcry. The elections could enhance al-Sharaa’s legitimacy or deepen a fissure if it is perceived as exclusionary. At a pivotal moment for Syria, the world awaits this historic vote.
Syria’s parliamentary elections in September 2025 are a bold attempt to reshape a territory divided by wars. Shortly after the elections, the new interim President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, asserted that the elections signified hope for a future state and a chance for a new democratic beginning. But many issues are yet to be resolved. For instance, the indirect elections, sectarian divisions, and logistical obstacles raise questions about the legitimacy and implications of a new parliament in Syria. The interim president has multiple hurdles, and whether these elections lead to long-term stability or expose the fragility and perceptions of fault lines in Syria remains to be seen. Stay tuned as this pivotal narrative unfolds.
