FazTimes Media: Syria is moving into a new and important period in its complicated political history, with the first parliamentary elections held since the end of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad's rule. The voting happened under strict monitoring and in a controlled environment, and many see it as a “symbolic yet meaningful” move in Syria’s long and difficult path to change after over a decade of war and damage.

The elections weren’t done the usual way. Instead, members of Syria’s new electoral committees across the country picked representatives for the People’s Assembly, which now has the job of deciding the country’s future.

Some Syrians see this election as a new beginning after years of a dictatorship, but others say the system is still broken and might let the powerful people in charge stay in power.

According to Al Jazeera, the elections are part of a “mixed system” that mixes choice and voting.

One-third of the 210 parliamentary seats will be chosen directly by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, while the other two-thirds will be picked through indirect voting by local electoral groups.

A Country Still Divided at the Polls

The elections were a big political test for a country that has been through 14 years of fighting, displacement, and outside influence. However, not everyone had the chance to take part.

Political problems and land disagreements postponed voting indefinitely in the Kurdish-controlled northeast and the Druze-majority area of Suwayda. These areas have long refused to follow the central government in Damascus.

Nishan Ismail, a teacher from Hasakah, said the election was expected to be a big event. “But by not letting some regions vote, the government is showing that political involvement still has limits in Syria.”

Human rights groups are also doubtful. A group of non-governmental organizations, including Syrians for Truth and Justice, said the new system lets al-Sharaa pick his supporters and keep a strong hold on power.

“You can name the process whatever you want, but it’s not real elections,” said Bassam Alahmad, the group’s head, in an interview with AFP.

From Dictatorship to Limited Democracy

During Bashar al-Assad's rule, the Ba’ath Party controlled almost all the seats in Syria's last parliamentary elections, which many people considered shams.

Al-Sharaa's transitional government has dismantled the old political party system, allowing candidates to run as individuals. Voters are unaware of the candidates' positions on issues, though, because there are no publicly advertised campaigns, registered parties, or distinct ideas from the candidates.

Reporting from Damascus, Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid said, “There are no campaigns, no political parties, and no real competition. Still, for many Syrians, this is their first time voting in a semi-free way after more than 60 years of one family controlling everything.”

Some people interviewed on the streets of Damascus called the elections a “hopeful start,” while others called them “cosmetic changes” meant to make the government seem more legitimate to the world.

Inside the New System

The new People’s Assembly will have 210 seats—140 chosen by electoral colleges and 70 directly appointed by al-Sharaa.

Each electoral college is made up of local representatives and professionals who select candidates for their area. The transitional government set up committees to select these members, but analysts criticize the lack of transparency in this process.

As BBC News reported, critics say this “layered selection system” gives too much control to the people already in power. With no clear way to check what's happening and limited access for the media, questions about fairness and possible manipulation remain unanswered.

“It’s difficult to know how these committees were formed or who is actually allowed to vote,” said Haid Haid, a research fellow at Chatham House. “This system might reduce chaos, but it doesn’t help build real democracy.”

Why a Popular Vote Was Not Held

The interim government says holding direct, nationwide elections now would be “impossible.” Syria’s civil war has displaced nearly 12 million people, both inside and outside the country. Millions don’t have ID documents or proof of where they live, making it nearly impossible to register voters.

“We don’t even know how many Syrians are still in Syria today,” explained Benjamin Feve, a senior analyst at Karam Shaar Advisory, in an interview with The Associated Press. “Creating accurate voter lists is nearly impossible under these conditions.”

Officials close to al-Sharaa say the next parliamentary term, expected to last 30 months, will prepare the country for its first direct democratic elections once stability and systems for keeping records are restored.

Challenges Facing the New Parliament

Even though the elections are a sign of progress, the path ahead is tough. The new parliament has to deal with a fragile ceasefire, a failing economy, and the need to rebuild damaged infrastructure. Kurdish groups, local militias, and foreign-backed organizations still control much of the country.

Rebuilding has been slow, and sanctions have stopped foreign investment. People are still struggling with food shortages, fuel issues, and high unemployment.

Mayssa Halwani, a candidate from Damascus, said, “The new government needs to show it really represents the people, not just another powerful group. Freedom is new to us, and so is holding leaders accountable.”

Experts say the greatest challenge will be creating a new constitution that balances power between Damascus and the semi-autonomous regions.

Lina Khatib, a Middle East policy expert, said, “The real test is whether the new parliament will be brave enough to share power. That will show if Syria is serious about being democratic.”

The People’s Expectations

For ordinary Syrians who have lived through years of war, poverty, and being away from home, their hopes are simple. According to Al Jazeera, many people see the elections not as a victory for democracy but as a sign that things might finally be getting more stable.

Bin Javaid said, “People are just worn out. They want safety, working schools, jobs, and a return to normal life—not political fights.”

In some areas, voter turnout was low, especially where people don’t trust the government. However, for the first time in decades, people could speak their minds without fear of being punished—this is a small but meaningful change in Syria’s politics.

The Road Ahead

Even though the international community is split on how to deal with Syria’s new government, most agree that this election is a small but important step forward.

As reported by BBC News, Western countries have not officially recognized the results, and they are pushing Damascus to make more democratic changes and include displaced Syrians in future elections.

Currently, Syria’s new parliament has the big job of rebuilding the country and restoring trust in the political system.

The country’s future depends on whether its leaders can share power, be open and honest, and bring people together after years of violence.

Bin Javaid from Al Jazeera said, “Syria needs everything—from fixing homes and schools to rebuilding trust in government. This is just the start of a long and uncertain journey.”

In short, Syria's first parliamentary elections after Assad's rule represent a fragile moment in a country rebuilding from years of dictatorship and war. Some view this as a fresh start, while others believe it's just a new way of maintaining control. It's unclear if this election will truly lead to real democracy or if it will simply be another chapter of limited political freedom.

For many Syrians, the message is clear: change has started—but it now depends on whether people can make it real.

Our primary goals at FazTimes Media are to be accurate and confident and adhere to the highest journalistic standards. We check every news story we share against several trustworthy and separate sources to ensure its accuracy.

We have reviewed this report, along with articles from major news outlets worldwide, including BBC News, Reuters, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, NDTV, The Economic Times, and The Indian Express.

We want to keep the highest standards in global journalism so that our readers can trust the information they acquire.

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