Syria Holds Controlled Elections Under Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Excluding Large Provinces

Syria is preparing for its first parliamentary elections since the removal of long-time President Bashar al-Assad, with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa leading the country.

“Syrian-American Jewish candidate Henry Hamra is running in Syria’s first parliamentary elections since the Assad era, aiming to become the first Jewish member of parliament since the 1940s”

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The elections, scheduled for Sunday, will not involve a direct popular vote.

kurdistan24.net

Instead, representatives for two-thirds of the 210 seats will be selected by "electoral colleges," while Sharaa will appoint the remaining third.

This process has been criticized for lacking inclusivity and democratic legitimacy, as it excludes supporters of the former regime, terrorist groups, and advocates of secession or foreign intervention.

Civil society groups have expressed concerns that the president’s significant control over appointments undermines the parliament’s independence and representative nature.

The elections have been postponed in three provinces—Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Suweida—due to security concerns and ongoing conflicts, leaving about 20 seats vacant.

This exclusion has raised fears about minority representation, particularly among Kurdish and Druze groups, who criticize the process as exclusionary and unrepresentative.

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Recent sectarian violence, especially in Suweida, has heightened tensions and skepticism about the interim government’s ability to unify the country.

Many Syrians view the elections as symbolic and akin to appointments rather than genuine democratic representation.

A notable development in these elections is the candidacy of Henry Hamra, a Syrian-American Jew, who is running for a seat in the parliament.

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If elected, he would be the first Jewish representative in over 75 years.

Hamra's campaign aims to revive the Syrian Jewish community and preserve the country's heritage.

His candidacy has attracted significant attention, as it marks a historic moment of renewed political visibility for Syria’s Jewish community, which has dwindled significantly over the years.

The broader context of these elections is marked by ongoing disputes between local authorities and Damascus.

Experts warn that excluding entire regions may deepen divisions.

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President al-Sharaa’s constitutional power to appoint one-third of the assembly is seen as a potential tool to enhance representation for women and minorities.

However, the lack of direct popular vote and the exclusion of significant regions have led to widespread criticism of the election's democratic legitimacy.