Syria's al-Sharaa: General elections to take place in four years

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has announced that the country will hold general elections in four years — the first electoral timetable set since the previous government collapsed a year ago.

Speaking at a panel during the 23rd Doha Forum on December 6, he outlined Syria’s roadmap for political stability and institutional rebuilding, Caliber.Az reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The declaration comes amid a transitional period established after a national dialogue conference approved temporary constitutional measures granting al-Sharaa a five-year mandate. He noted that parliamentary elections have already been held as part of this process.

“Syria is developing based on elections, and although we are not ready for them at this moment, we held the People’s Assembly elections in a manner consistent with the transitional phase, and the principle that the people choose who governs them is fundamental.”

During an open discussion with renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international affairs anchor, al-Sharaa reflected on Syria’s troubled past, describing long years of sanctions, isolation, and policies under the former regime that alienated the international community.

On the eve of the first anniversary of rebel forces securing Damascus and ending Bashar al-Assad’s decades-long rule, al-Sharaa reaffirmed that Syria would move forward as “a country built on elections and institutions.”

By Nazrin Sadigova