Intel Brief: Upcoming Syrian Parliamentary Elections

laure7549
Sep 12
4 min read

Date: 12/09/2025 (15:00 UTC+3)

Where?

Syria

The Run-Up to Syria’s Election

On 29/05/2025, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, was named Syria’s Transitional President, after the ousting of former regime leader Bashar al-Assad on 08/12/2024.
On 13/03/2025, al-Sharaa signed a draft constitution establishing a five-year transitional period leading up to the next presidential elections, while also formalizing the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
In March 2025, a surge in pro-Assad insurgent attacks against Syrian government forces led to heavy clashes in the Syrian western provinces of Tartous and Latakia, resulting in significant casualties and further deepening the country’s internal divisions.
On 10/03/2025, the Syrian transitional government reached an agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who had been engaged in conflict with the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) prior to the fall of Assad’s regime. However, poor implementation of the deal, combined with recent clashes between the SDF and Syrian government forces, underscores its failure to take effect thus far and highlights the division in the north.
On 07/04/2025, the brother of al-Sharaa, Maher, was reported to have been appointed Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Syrian Republic, transitioning from his previous role as health minister.
On 22/08/2025, al-Sharaa issued Presidential Decree No. 143/2025, establishing a temporary electoral system for the new parliament, which increased seats from the originally announced 150 to 210, and forming the parliamentary elections committee (the People’s Assembly Election Committee).
During June and July 2025, US and European sanctions on Syria were lifted, aiding the country's rebuilding efforts.
On 12/07/2025, violent clashes erupted between armed Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze militias in the southern governorate of Suwayda, resulting in heavy casualties and forcing many residents to flee. Syrian government forces intervened to provide support, followed by direct involvement from Israel, underscoring its intent to exert influence over parts of Syria while fueling further instability.
Syria’s Electoral Commission initially announced the postponement of parliamentary elections in Suwayda, Hasakah, and Raqqa on 23/08/205, due to ‘security concerns’ following the recent clashes and ongoing tensions in the regions. However, on 12/09/2025, the spokesperson of the People's Assembly Elections Committee announced that citizens in Raqqa and Hasakah provinces will be allowed to vote as they "are under the control of the legitimate government in Damascus".
Between 15/09/2025 and 20/09/2025, the Syrian elections are to take place, during which 140 of the 210 parliamentary members will be chosen, for a transitional term of approximately five years.

How will the elections work?

The election system does not follow the format of a traditional popular vote or general election. Rather, it uses a mixed approach: representatives for each district are chosen through voting by pre-selected electoral colleges, while additional seats are filled through direct appointments made by the president. As depicted in the image below, President Al-Sharaa personally chooses one-third of the parliament, which is 70 out of the 210 total parliamentary seats, and has also established the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections. This committee oversees the entire process and selects members of roughly 62 sub-committees. Each of the sub-committees have selected candidates for the ‘electoral bodies,’ which have compiled the list of nominees for next week’s elections. These nominees will fill the remaining 140 seats, effectively denying most Syrians any meaningful role in choosing their representatives.

Source : @gargaristan on X, August 24, 2025. — *Source* : *@gargaristan on X, August 24, 2025.*

Analysis

The upcoming Syrian parliamentary elections are pivotal. They are the first under the new transitional government following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. On the positive side, these elections represent a crucial democratic milestone, a foundational step in rebuilding state institutions and establishing a more representative government after decades of authoritarian rule. The formation of a new government through this process could also contribute to greater stability, attracting much-needed foreign investment for economic recovery and infrastructure reconstruction, with Gulf states having already pledged substantial investments providing energy, as well as Turkey, which has also played an important role in rebuilding the country’s security infrastructure.

However, while economic support from foreign powers is crucial for rebuilding, it is not a guarantee for stability on its own. There is a tangible danger that financial aid might merely paper over deep-seated resentments and divisions, which could reignite future conflicts if people's grievances are not genuinely addressed. Moreover, external intervention, as well as internal problems like the recent clashes in Suwayda, ongoing fighting in Aleppo, and pro-Assad insurgent attacks throughout the country, and the severe drought leading to a national water crisis continue to challenge the long hoped-for stability in Syria.

Furthermore, concerns exist that the parliamentary elections may solidify the central government's authority rather than facilitating genuine representation. Although Al-Sharaa’s appointed People’s Assembly Elections committee has set requirements for electoral bodies—including at least 20 per cent women, as well as representatives of displaced communities, families of those killed or wounded in the conflict, people with disabilities, and survivors of detention—the legitimacy of the elections is undermined by the exclusion of the Druze-majority Suwayda and previously the Kurdish-dominated regions of Hassakeh and Raqqa. The exclusion of Suwayda still might lead to the sidelining of an important minority group and deprives them of political representation, while power remains concentrated in the hands of al-Sharaa. Moreover, if the elections are ultimately perceived as unfair, or exclusive, they could further erode public trust in the new government and prolong the cycle of conflict and instability.

Conclusion

The upcoming Syrian parliamentary elections, while a momentous occasion with the potential to usher in a new era of stability, face significant challenges. The ongoing national division, exemplified by ongoing violent outbreaks together with the lack of representation during the election process, which is mainly in the hands of al-Sharaa, threatens to undermine the transition's success and could exacerbate existing divisions. Without addressing critical concerns regarding minority exclusion and deep-seated grievances, these elections risk becoming a mere administrative milestone or a catalyst for further violence, rather than a genuine stride toward a stable and pluralistic Syria.