In the latest People’s Assembly elections, Syrian First Lady Asma al-Assad was notably absent from media coverage. Instead, President Bashar al-Assad appeared alone in photos and videos while casting his vote. For the first time, their children, Hafez and Zain, also made a public appearance, participating in the electoral process.
According to the regime’s news agency, SANA, President Assad voted in one of Damascus’s electoral centers for the fourth legislative round. During his appearance, he made statements focusing on relations with Turkey, whose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently called for improved ties after years of estrangement following the Syrian revolution.
Asma al-Assad’s absence is unusual, given her significant role in the economic sphere over the past decade and her consistent presence in media and regime propaganda, even during her battle with breast cancer. Since her cancer diagnosis was announced again in May, she has been completely out of the public eye.
Photos of President Assad voting elicited widespread ridicule, with commentators mocking the notion of the Syrian president voting for representatives to “make his voice heard,” a concept alien to European democracies. Others criticized the elections as a sham, highlighting that People’s Assembly representatives are appointed rather than elected, and noting that employees and students are coerced into participating to present an image of “true democracy.”
In contrast, Assad’s sons, Hafez and Zain, appeared at the Faculty of Law to vote. They gave a short speech, posed for photos, and signed autographs for citizens, resembling Hollywood stars. Since 2016, Hafez, Zain, and their brother Karim have been regular figures in official propaganda, aiming to polish the ruling family’s image and portray them as humble and connected to the people. This also serves to prepare the trio for future leadership roles, as Asma al-Assad has previously indicated in press statements.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
