Syrian Arab Republic - July 2026

On 12 July, Syria's newly formed 210-seat parliament, the People's Assembly, held its inaugural session in Damascus. The session elected Abdul Hamid al-Awak as Speaker of parliament with 99 votes. Two-thirds of the assembly's members were indirectly elected through regional electoral colleges, while President Al-Sharaa directly appointed the remaining 70 members, named just days earlier on 1 July. Under the interim constitutional declaration adopted in 2025, the Parliament is now tasked with drafting Syria's permanent constitution and laying the groundwork for future elections over a 30-month term. The session marks the re-establishment of a national legislature, following the dissolution of the Assad-era People's Assembly after his government was overthrown in December 2024.

Sources: Reuters (1), Reuters (2), International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2)