Syria’s Elections: New Challenges Emerge for Sharaa’s Regime

UPDATE: Syria has just conducted its first parliamentary elections under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, raising significant concerns about the legitimacy of the process. On October 5, 2024, only a few thousand Syrians participated in a tightly controlled election aimed at filling 119 of the 210 seats in the People’s Assembly, yet many critics argue the elections maintain the authoritarian traditions of the past.

The elections were held under a newly established five-year transitional framework, as declared by Sharaa in March. However, doubts loom over the assembly’s ability to act independently. Observers fear that it merely serves to legitimize the regime’s ongoing control. Candidate Adham Masoud al-Qaq, a prominent figure in Syrian politics who returned from exile after the Assad regime’s collapse, noted a troubling trend: “We could clearly sense that this or that person would win as a representative before the voting even took place,” highlighting the lack of genuine competition.

Despite the government’s argument that traditional elections were impossible due to the ongoing crises, the election process itself has been criticized as opaque and corrupt. Radwan Ziadeh, a senior fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC, remarked, “You can’t really call these elections. It was more the formation of Syrian legislative power.”

Out of approximately 6,000 delegates nominated across the country, only six women and ten minority candidates were elected, showcasing a significant gap in representation. The overwhelming majority of seats went to Sunni men from the administrative elite, raising questions about the true inclusivity of the electoral process.

Amidst ongoing international scrutiny, Sharaa has been preoccupied with diplomatic engagements, including a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and a forthcoming encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump on November 10, marking the first meeting between a Syrian president and a U.S. leader since Syria’s independence in 1946.

The elections were organized under a system that many describe as closed and controlled, with subcommittees retaining full authority over candidate selections. Local voices like Basem Hamzeh, a member of the rural Damascus subcommittee, indicated that many residents were unaware that elections were even occurring, further underscoring the disconnect between the regime and the populace.

As the dust settles on this election, the political landscape in Syria remains fraught with challenges. The interim government under Sharaa struggles to establish legitimacy while facing criticism over its failure to ensure a fair electoral process. The coming weeks will be crucial for Sharaa’s administration as it navigates both internal discontent and external diplomatic pressures.

With ongoing civil unrest and a population deeply affected by years of conflict, the path ahead for Syria’s political future remains uncertain. Observers and citizens alike will be watching closely as the regime attempts to solidify its power amid growing skepticism about its commitment to true democratic governance.

As developments unfold, political engagement remains a flickering hope for many, though the struggle for genuine representation and reform continues in this war-torn nation.