Syria’s Transitional Parliament Convenes for First Session After Assad’s Ouster

President Ahmed al-Sharaa emphasizes that revitalizing the economy and bolstering public services are top priorities.

Published On 12 Jul 202612 Jul 2026

Syria’s president urged legislators to prioritize the national interest as the newly formed transitional parliament opened its inaugural session.

Lawmakers swore the constitutional oath in Damascus on Sunday, over eighteen months after longtime autocrat Bashar al-Assad was ousted by rebels under Ahmed al‑Sharaa, who now serves as Syria’s president.

“I urge you to transform this assembly into a beacon of responsibility and competence, nurturing a culture of dialogue, the rule of law, and respect for institutions,” al‑Sharaa declared.

The People’s Assembly, as the parliament is known, is tasked with drafting a new constitution and establishing the groundwork for democracy after decades of repressive al‑Assad rule, which ended in a 14‑year civil war that claimed over half a million lives.

The 43‑year‑old al‑Sharaa has vowed to usher in a new era for Syria, a nation still grappling with a dire economy after years of war and isolation, its difficulties deepened by recurring political and sectarian strife since al‑Assad’s fall.

Al‑Sharaa emphasized that revitalizing the economy, strengthening public services, and courting foreign investment are parliament’s chief priorities.

“Syria is writing a glorious chapter that mirrors its heroism, and we bear the responsibility of rebuilding both the nation and its people,” he said.

The chamber comprises 210 seats; two‑thirds of the legislators were selected last year by regional electoral colleges, and al‑Sharaa appointed the remaining 70 members at the start of the month.

Officials noted that nationwide elections remain impractical due to the complex logistical hurdles left by years of war, including unreliable population data.

Claudio Cordone, the deputy United Nations special envoy for Syria, described the parliament’s inaugural session as “a key milestone in the nation’s political transition,” adding that the international community will monitor its progress closely and stand ready to assist.

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