Syria’s new parliament meets in Damascus as interim president names one-third

New parliament convenes in Damascus

Syria’s newly formed 210-member People’s Assembly met for the first time since the fall of Bashar Assad, opening a 30-month legislative term aimed at reviving lawmaking after years of conflict and authoritarian rule. Two-thirds of the deputies were selected through electoral colleges and one-third were directly appointed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who told lawmakers, “After liberating our homeland and regaining our freedom, we are all moving toward consolidating the state.”

Leadership and context

After taking oaths, legislators elected Abdul Hamid al-Awak of Hassakeh as speaker; state media says he served a decade as a judge in the Justice Ministry and was among officials who defected early in the uprising and went to Turkey. The inauguration is presented as a step toward drafting new laws and preparing future elections as Syria attempts institutional recovery following a war that killed roughly half a million people, as reported by AP News

This story has also been reported by: Reuters, Al Jazeera, Al-Monitor, Enab Baladi