Syria Postpones Parliament Selection in Druze, Kurdish-Held Areas

• Syria has postponed the transitional parliament selection in three provinces.
• The delay affects Druze-majority Sweida and two Kurdish-held provinces.
• The official reason is to ensure a safe environment for the process.
• Sweida province recently saw deadly sectarian clashes.

GG News Bureau
Damascus, 23rd Aug: A Syrian official announced Saturday that the selection process for a new transitional parliament has been postponed in three key provinces. The delay affects Druze-majority Sweida and the two Kurdish-held provinces of Raqa and Hasakeh. The selection process was originally scheduled for September 15-20.

The official SANA news agency quoted organising committee member Nawar Najmeh, who stated the process is postponed “until the appropriate conditions and a safe environment are available.” He added that seats will be “reserved” for these provinces in the 210-member legislative body. The selection can only proceed in “territories controlled by the state.”

Tensions and Security Challenges
The decision comes amid significant security and political challenges. Sweida province in the south has a tense security situation following deadly sectarian clashes last month. Access to the area remains difficult.

In the north and northeast, Raqa and Hasakeh provinces are largely controlled by a Kurdish administration. The central government’s relationship with this administration remains strained. A March 10 deal aimed at integrating Kurdish institutions into the central government has been stalled due to differences between the two sides. Najmeh confirmed the postponement is due to “the security challenges these provinces are witnessing” and is intended to “ensure fair representation.”

A New Political Structure
After the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, Syria’s new authorities, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, dissolved the former parliament. They adopted a temporary constitution for a five-year transition. The interim charter has been criticized for concentrating power in Sharaa’s hands and for failing to fully reflect Syria’s ethnic and religious diversity.

Under the new system, two-thirds of the 210 lawmakers will be picked by appointed local bodies. The remaining third will be named by President Sharaa. The new transitional parliament will have a renewable mandate of 30 months.