Syria's New Parliament Begins | Spokane News

Syria’s new People’s Assembly just convened for the first time since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, marking a historic step toward rebuilding the nation under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. In his address, al-Sharaa called for accountability and truth, framing the parliament as a cornerstone of Syria’s new chapter — one that seeks to replace decades of authoritarian rule with inclusive governance. Though the body currently holds limited powers — including drafting a new constitution and approving laws — it represents a symbolic and practical shift from the old regime’s rubber-stamp parliament. With two-thirds of its 210 members selected by regional councils and the rest appointed by al-Sharaa, critics warn of executive overreach, though the president insists general elections are the goal once infrastructure and voter records are restored. Women make up 10% of the assembly, with 21 members — 15 of whom were personally nominated by al-Sharaa — while minority groups like Kurds, Christians, and Alawites hold around ten seats. Some seats remain vacant, especially in war-torn Sweida. The election of Abdel Halim al-Awak as speaker signals momentum, as al-Sharaa, once linked to al Qaeda but now courting Western allies, pushes forward with his vision of a freer, more representative Syria — even as the road ahead remains fraught with challenges. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/80bc4c0393697ce4