New Syrian parliament meets for first time in Damascus

Syria's new parliament convened for the first time Sunday, 19 months after rebels led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad, marking a milestone in the country's political transition despite the chamber's limited powers.

In a speech to parliament in Damascus, Sharaa urged 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.

The parliament is seen as a test of Sharaa's pledge to build an inclusive new political order in Syria, which was ruled as a police state by the Assad family for decades, with a legislature widely viewed as a rubber stamp.

Sharaa backs eventual elections

Under Syria's interim governing arrangements, two-thirds of the 210-seat chamber were selected last year by regional electoral colleges, while Sharaa appointed the remaining third on July 1.

Officials have said the system was necessary because years of war left millions displaced and made it impossible to rely on accurate population records or voter rolls.

Critics say it gives the executive branch extensive control over the selection process.

Sharaa has said he supports holding general elections once infrastructure and civil records allow.

A temporary constitutional declaration introduced in 2025 granted parliament limited powers, and the government is not required to win a parliamentary vote of confidence.

The assembly can propose and approve legislation. It has a renewable 30-month term and will exercise legislative authority until a permanent constitution is adopted and elections are held.

Women make up 10% of lawmakers

A former al-Qaida militant, Sharaa has reshaped Syria since toppling Assad, forging close ties with Western countries and promising a new era of freedoms, though his first year in power was marked by several bouts of violence between pro-government fighters and members of minority groups.

The chamber includes 21 women, 15 of whom were appointed by Sharaa, who severed ties with al-Qaeda in 2016.

Authorities have not released a breakdown of lawmakers by ethnic or religious background.

Unofficial tallies indicate that 10 of the seats filled last year went to members of religious and ethnic minorities, including Kurds, Christians and Alawites, the sect to which Assad belongs.

Four seats remain vacant because one lawmaker died and three others reserved for the predominantly Druze province of Sweida have yet to be filled.

Authorities said the selection of lawmakers for Sweida has been postponed until "conditions become suitable."

The province has remained outside state control since government forces and allied fighters clashed with Druze factions there last July, leaving about 1,700 people dead, according to the United Nations.