Syria is holding its fourth parliamentary election since the 2011 uprising, despite criticism from Western countries and Assad’s critics that the polling is neither free nor fair. The election, which excludes rebel-held areas and diaspora Syrians, is expected to pave the way for a constitutional amendment to extend President Bashar Assad’s term. The vote takes place amid an economic crisis, fueling demonstrations in the south, and a deteriorating economy due to conflict, sanctions, and pandemic. Meanwhile, Assad has warned Turkey of a heavy price for backing rebels and Syria has cautioned of consequences following Israeli missile attacks on Damascus.
Syrians vote for their next parliament, which may pave the way for Assad to extend his rule
Syrians were voting for members of a new parliament in an election Monday that was expected to hold few surprises but could pave the way for a constitutional amendment to extend the term of President Bashar Assad, AP reported.
The vote is the fourth in Syria since mass anti-government protests in 2011 and a brutal crackdown by security forces spiraled into an ongoing civil war. It comes as an economic crisis grips the country, fueling demonstrations in the south.
Syria’s 2024 parliamentary election excludes rebel-held northwest Syria and the country’s northeast under U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The number of eligible voters hasn’t been announced either, and unlike presidential elections, the millions of diaspora Syrians — whose numbers have ballooned since the civil war — are not qualified to vote for the legislators.
Western countries and Assad’s critics say the polling in government-held areas in Syria is neither free nor fair.
This year, 1,516 government-approved candidates are running for the 250-seat People’s Assembly. Some 8,151 polling stations were set up in 15 voting districts in government-held areas, with results expected to be announced Monday night or the following day.
In the last round of elections in 2020, the outcome was delayed for days due to technical issues, according to officials. Assad’s Baath Party won 166 seats, in addition to 17 others from allied parties, while 67 seats went to independent candidates.
The poll is taking place as Syria’s economy continues to deteriorate after years of conflict, Western-led sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic and dwindling aid due to donor fatigue.
Meanwhile, the value of the country’s national currency against the dollar has reached new lows, sparking food and fuel inflation. The government also partially rolled back its subsidy program almost a year ago while at the same time doubling public sector and pension wages.
Voters told The Associated Press that fixing Syria’s hobbling economy is a key issue.
“We hope that our trust in these new legislators will bring good to the country and improve conditions,” said Ahmad al-Afoush, 40, after voting in Damascus.
Assad says Turkey will pay heavily for backing Syrian rebels
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has told Turkey it will pay a heavy price for backing rebels fighting to oust him, accusing it of harbouring “terrorists” along its border who would soon turn against their hosts, Reuters reported.
In an interview with Turkey’s Halk TV due to be broadcast later on Friday, Assad called Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan “bigoted” and said Turkey was allowing terrorists to cross into Syria to attack the army and Syrian civilians.
“It is not possible to put terrorism in your pocket and use it as a card because it is like a scorpion which won’t hesitate to sting you at the first opportunity,” Assad said, according to a transcript published on Halk TV’s website.
“In the near future, these terrorists will have an impact on Turkey and Turkey will pay a heavy price for it.”
Syria warns of consequences following Israeli missile attacks on Damascus
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates cautioned on Sunday that Israeli attacks on Syrian soil could lead to uncontrollable consequences and serious repercussions.
In a statement released hours after Israeli missile attacks on a residential neighborhood in the Syrian capital of Damascus and military sites, the ministry reaffirmed Syria’s legitimate right to defend its sovereignty and liberate its occupied land through all legitimate means guaranteed by international law.
The ministry warned against the escalation of Israeli attacks on Syrian soil, adding that persistent international silence regarding such attacks would undermine the ability of the international system to confront violations of its charter and international laws.
Israeli strikes in Damascus earlier in the day resulted in casualties among the Syrian military and fires in the targeted areas, as reported by the Syrian Ministry of Defense and relevant sources.
The Defense Ministry said a military personnel was killed, and three others were injured during the attacks.
The ministry added that the attacks were launched from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan and aimed at several military sites in the southern region and a residential building in the Kafr Sousa area of Damascus.
