New Syrian parliament convenes

Syria’s new parliament convened for the first time on Sunday, 19 months after rebels led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad, a milestone in the country’s political transition despite the chamber’s current limited powers. [ . . . ] Under the country’s interim governing arrangements, ⁠two-thirds of the members of the 210-seat chamber were chosen last year by regional electoral colleges, while Sharaa named the remaining third on July 1. [ . . . ] A temporary constitutional declaration introduced in 2025 granted parliament limited ⁠authorities, and there is no requirement for the government to ⁠win a parliamentary vote of confidence. The Assembly can propose and approve laws. It ​has a 30-month term that is renewable, and it assumes legislative authority until a permanent constitution is adopted and ​elections are organised. Abdel Halim al-Awak, a member of the committee that drafted the constitutional ‌declaration, was elected speaker with 99 votes. Sharaa has said the parliament will be tasked with forming a committee to draft a new constitution.
Read the full article here: WTVB