Syria’s “High Committee for Elections to the People’s Council” announced that the first parliamentary elections under the new government will take place between September 15–20.
According to the state-run SANA news agency, the announcement by Committee Chairman Mohammad al-Ahmad includes structural changes that will significantly impact Syria’s political system.
The most notable change is the expansion of the parliament from 150 to 210 seats. While this ostensibly reflects the 2011 census and aims to increase regional representation, President Ahmad al-Sharaa will appoint 70 of those seats. In effect, one-third of the council will be hand-picked before any vote occurs.
This move reveals the regime’s intent to maintain a firm grip on power and ensure that the new parliament aligns with its political agenda. Rather than enabling real pluralism, the elections appear designed to legitimize the new government and its centralized order.