Syria to hold first parliamentary elections under al-Sharaa

On Sunday, October 5, Syria will hold parliamentary elections under the leadership of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa for the first time since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, according to the Associated Press.

During the 50-year rule of the Assad family, elections were regularly held, but the Baath Party maintained full control over parliament. International observers have long considered these votes largely ceremonial and non-competitive.

Analysts note that genuine political competition previously occurred only within the Baath Party, over inclusion on candidate lists.

The upcoming elections are also unlikely to be fully democratic. Under new rules, while citizens will vote directly, a significant portion of parliamentary seats will be allocated through regional electoral colleges, and about one-third of MPs will be appointed directly by al-Sharaa.

Although presented as a potential new political phase for Syria, the elections remain far from being free and fair.

By Khagan Isayev