Islamic State Editorial on the New Syrian Parliament

Translation and Overview

Following a system of election by select committees (rather than a genuine popular vote) and personal selection by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the new Syrian parliament, comprising 210 members, has now been filled. Among the parliament members selected by Sharaa himself, observers have noted in particular the case of actress Ruzayna al-Ladhqani, whose glamorous, secular image contrasts with the popular conception of the new Syria as an Islamist-run order.

However, it is not yet clear how much of a role parliament will have in legislation in contrast with the tendency towards rule by presidential decree during the transition period. Further, in general, the parliament’s members do not reflect competing political parties, which fits in with the nature of the existing order: that is, an order in which there are no rival political projects to that of Ahmad al-Sharaa and his closest associates.