Syrian Voters Participate in Indirect Elections for New Parliament

Syria is conducting parliamentary elections for the first time since Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, but the process faces criticism for being undemocratic, as a third of the 210-member assembly is appointed by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, while the rest are chosen by electoral colleges. Many view this as a means to maintain power among elite figures rather than fostering genuine democratic change, with elections in key regions postponed and no political parties allowed.