Syria’s newly formed People’s Assembly convened for its inaugural session in Damascus on Sunday, July 12, 2026, marking a significant step in the country’s political transition. The session took place approximately 19 months after rebels led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa toppled the longtime authoritarian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
In his opening address, President al-Sharaa urged lawmakers to put “national interest above all” and to make the assembly a “model of responsibility and competence.” He emphasized the need to foster a culture of dialogue, the rule of law, and respect for institutions, describing the council as a “platform for truth and justice.”
Constitutional Mandate and Legislative Powers
The primary objective of the People’s Assembly is to lay the foundations for democracy and draft a new constitution for Syria. President al-Sharaa stated that the parliament will be tasked with forming a committee to handle the drafting process.
Under a temporary constitutional declaration introduced in 2025, the Assembly currently possesses limited authorities. The body can propose and approve laws and is expected to approve the national budget and pass state-building legislation. The parliament operates on a renewable 30-month term and will maintain legislative authority until a permanent constitution is adopted and general elections are organized. Notably, there is currently no requirement for the government to win a parliamentary vote of confidence.
Parliamentary Composition and Selection Process
The chamber consists of 210 seats, though the session began with four vacancies. One seat remains vacant due to the death of a lawmaker, and three seats reserved for the predominantly Druze province of Sweida have not been filled.
The membership of the 210-seat body was determined through a hybrid process:
- Elected Members: 140 lawmakers (two-thirds) were chosen last year by regional electoral colleges.
- Appointed Members: 70 lawmakers (one-third) were appointed by President al-Sharaa on July 1.
Officials defended this system, stating that nationwide elections were not feasible due to logistical challenges and inaccurate population records caused by years of conflict. President al-Sharaa has expressed support for general elections once documentation and infrastructure allow.
Diversity and Representation
The new parliament reflects a broader range of backgrounds than the “rubber-stamp” legislature of the Assad era. This group includes actress Rozina Lazkani and Fasla Yousef, a senior member of the Kurdish National Council.
While authorities have not provided an official breakdown of ethnic and religious minorities, unofficial tallies suggest the presence of Alawites, Druze, Kurds, Christians, and Ismailis. Specifically, unofficial reports indicate at least eight Kurdish representatives and 10 seats among various minorities, including Christians and Alawites.
Analysis by Abdullah al-Ghadhawi in New Lines Magazine noted that the majority of members do not come from established political parties, but rather from social and political networks formed after 2011, such as local councils, relief organizations, and opposition movements.
Economic Priorities and International Outlook
President al-Sharaa identified improving the economy, strengthening public services, and attracting international investment as key priorities for the parliament. He noted that Syria remains in a dire economic state following years of political isolation and a 14-year civil war that killed more than half a million people.
The international community has noted the transition. Claudio Cordone, the deputy United Nations special envoy for Syria, described the first session as a “key milestone,” stating that the international community stands ready to support the process.
During the session, the Assembly elected Abdel Halim al-Awak, a legal expert from Hasakah Governorate, as Speaker.
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