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Syrian Transitional Parliament Convenes in Damascus

Drafting Syria's constitution will set the rules that govern the country's post‑Assad political order.

Overview

  • The assembly met in Damascus on Sunday, July 12, 2026, with 206 of 210 deputies present to begin work on a constitution, laws and the budget.
  • Two thirds of seats were chosen by local committees installed by a national election commission and the transitional president personally appointed 70 deputies, a process critics say bypassed direct popular voting.
  • Women and some minorities are markedly underrepresented with only 21 women in the 210‑member body and just one Druze deputy, leaving questions about how well the parliament reflects Syria's population.
  • Parliamentary authority is limited because it can block presidential decrees only with a two‑thirds majority and the assembly's term is set for about two and a half years, raising doubts about the balance between executive and legislative power.
  • The new body follows the December 2024 overthrow of Bashar al‑Assad and takes place as security and sectarian tensions persist, a reality that will affect how the parliament's laws and the constitution change daily life for Syrians.