DAMASCUS: Syria's new parliament convened for the first time on Sunday, 19 months after President Ahmed al Sharaa toppled Bashar al Assad, a milestone in the country's political transition despite the chamber's current limited powers. Sharaa, in a speech at parliament in Damascus, told lawmakers to "make this council a model of responsibility and competence" and described it as "a platform for truth and justice". "Syria is writing a glorious history that reflects its heroism, and we face the responsibility of building both the nation and the individual," he said.
Under the country's interim governing arrangements, two-thirds of the members of the 210-seat chamber were chosen last year by regional electoral colleges, while Sharaa named the remaining third on July 1. Officials have said this system was necessary because years of war had left millions displaced and made it impossible to rely on accurate population records or voter rolls.
A temporary constitutional declaration introduced in 2025 granted parliament limited authorities, and there is no requirement for the government to win a parliamentary vote of confidence. The Assembly can propose and approve laws. It has a 30-month term that is renewable, and it assumes legislative authority until a permanent constitution is adopted and elections are organised. — Reuters
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