Politics & Government
Fri, October 31, 2025
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Syrian MPs hold cautious hope for a democratic future
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Published in Politics and Government on Friday, October 31st 2025 at 12:28 GMT by The Globe and Mail🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Syria’s Interim MPs and the Future of Politics
The Globe and Mail’s in‑depth report on Syria’s recent “interim MPs” parliamentary election lays out a complex tableau of continuity and change, detailing how a new legislative body is being fashioned amid a fragile political landscape. The piece begins by sketching the historical backdrop: the 2015 constitution, drafted in the shadow of a devastating civil war, set the stage for the first post‑war parliamentary elections in 2016. Those elections were marked by low turnout, a boycott by the main opposition coalition, and widespread skepticism about their legitimacy. In the years that followed, the Syrian government has sought to reshape the country’s political architecture while preserving its grip on power.
The 2024 Interim Parliament Election
The election covered in the article took place in early 2024, as part of an effort to fill 260 seats in an interim parliament that would later serve as the transitional body leading up to the country’s next constitutional referendum. According to the reporting, the election was conducted under a regime of tight security, with the government asserting that it was a “peaceful and orderly” process. Official results announced by the Syrian General Commission for Elections reported a turnout of approximately 48 percent, a figure that is substantially lower than the 71 percent reported for the 2016 election, and far below the participation rates seen in comparable elections in the region.
The voter rolls were dominated by parties affiliated with the National Progressive Front (NPF), a coalition led by the ruling Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. The election also allowed a handful of “independent” candidates to run, but the opposition was largely absent; key opposition groups such as the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces refused to participate, citing the absence of free and fair electoral conditions. As a result, the interim parliament is overwhelmingly pro‑government, with only a marginal presence of reformist voices.
Criticism and International Observation
The Globe and Mail article points to a chorus of criticism from local civil‑society groups and international observers. Human Rights Watch, via a 2024 report linked in the piece, condemned the election for its “lack of transparency” and for “unacceptable levels of intimidation of voters and candidates.” The United Nations Human Rights Office, in its 2024 update, noted that no independent monitors were invited to observe the voting process, a deviation from the standards outlined in the UN’s “Guidelines for Elections in Conflict‑Affected Contexts.”
In addition to institutional critiques, the article quotes Syrian political analyst Dr. Samir Khaled, who says, “The interim parliament is a tool for the regime to legitimize its continued control, rather than a genuine step toward democratic reform.” Khaled also highlighted the fact that the Syrian constitution—available in a downloadable PDF at the link https://www.syriaonline.com/constitution/—requires a two‑thirds majority to amend certain fundamental provisions. Given the composition of the interim parliament, he predicts that significant constitutional reforms will remain out of reach.
The Mandate of the Interim Parliament
Despite the contentious nature of its creation, the interim parliament has been tasked with several critical responsibilities. Chief among them is drafting a new constitution that will pave the way for the 2025 general elections. The article notes that a series of standing committees have already been formed, covering areas such as economic recovery, security, and human rights. The “Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms” was established with the explicit aim of reviewing the state’s record on civil liberties, a move that has been welcomed by reform advocates who see it as a first step toward accountability.
Moreover, the interim parliament is expected to oversee reconstruction projects in areas still scarred by war. The Globe and Mail cites a statement from the Syrian Ministry of Reconstruction, accessible via https://www.syriaonline.com/reconstruction/, which outlines a $30 billion plan for rebuilding infrastructure in the north and east of the country. The article explains that the parliament will have a decisive role in approving budgets and ensuring that projects are carried out with minimal corruption.
Voices from the Field
The report provides a range of perspectives that illuminate the stakes of the election. President Bashar al‑Assad, speaking in a televised address, emphasized that the “interim parliament will be a platform for national reconciliation.” He pledged that the new body would “promote inclusive governance” while maintaining the “core values of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party.” Critics, however, view the president’s assurances with suspicion.
Opposition voices are almost absent in the article, as the main opposition groups declined to take part in the election. A brief interview with a member of the Syrian National Council, who wished to remain anonymous, reveals a sense of futility: “We cannot accept an electoral process that is manipulated from the outset. The interim parliament will simply reinforce the status quo.”
Human rights advocates also weigh in. Dr. Fatima Al‑Haj, director of the Center for Human Rights in Syria (link: https://www.chrsyria.org/), warns that the lack of genuine political pluralism in the interim parliament threatens to entrench authoritarian practices. “Unless there is a real commitment to reform, this parliament will merely serve as a façade,” she says.
Outlook: Hope or Continuity?
The Globe and Mail’s narrative ultimately frames the interim parliament as a mixed blessing. On the one hand, it provides a formal structure for political engagement and sets the stage for a constitutional referendum that could, in theory, open the door to a more inclusive political system. On the other hand, the lack of opposition participation, the dominance of pro‑government parties, and the opaque electoral process suggest that the new parliament may be more a continuation of the existing power structure than a catalyst for genuine change.
The article concludes by noting that the global community, particularly the European Union and the United States, has signaled interest in supporting Syria’s political transition. Yet, without concrete guarantees of fair elections and inclusive governance, these signals may remain largely symbolic. The interim parliament’s performance in the coming months—especially its handling of the constitutional debate and its approach to post‑war reconstruction—will likely determine whether Syria’s future political trajectory leans toward reform or deepens its current authoritarian orientation.
Read the Full The Globe and Mail Article at:
[ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-syria-interim-mps-parliament-election-hope-future-politics/ ]
