Syria’s newly established People’s Assembly held its inaugural session on Sunday, electing Dr. Abdul Hamid al-Awak, a constitutional law expert, as its speaker. Mustafa Moussa and Dr. Madona Suhail Bashara were elected as deputy speakers during this first legislative gathering since the fall of former President Bashar Assad. The session, attended by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, featured 206 lawmakers taking their constitutional oaths and the formation of a temporary legal committee to oversee legislative processes. The 210-seat assembly comprises 140 elected members and 70 appointed by the president, with four seats currently vacant. Al-Awak, a prominent legal figure who previously defected from the former regime, is noted for his advocacy of parliamentary oversight and separation of powers, marking a significant shift in Syria’s political landscape.
Why It Matters
The establishment of the People’s Assembly represents a critical step in Syria’s transition from decades of authoritarian rule under the Assad family. For over fifty years, the Syrian parliament was characterized by a lack of independence and public displays of loyalty to the president. The absence of applause during the assembly’s opening session symbolizes a potential shift in political culture, reflecting a desire for a more genuine legislative process. This new assembly aims to regain public trust by representing the voices of ordinary Syrians, many of whom have experienced the hardships of the ongoing conflict.
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