Syria's transitional parliament meets for the first time under President Ahmed al‑Sharaa

On 12 July 2026 the newly formed Syrian transitional parliament opened its inaugural session in Damascus, marking the first legislative gathering since rebels led by President Ahmed al‑Sharaa toppled Bashar al‑Assad in late 2024. The 210‑seat chamber, two‑thirds of whose members were selected last year by regional electoral colleges and the remaining one‑third appointed by al‑Sharaa in July, convened with 206 lawmakers present; seats for the Druze‑majority Sweida province remain vacant and one member is deceased.

President al‑Sharaa addressed the assembly, urging legislators to be “models of responsibility and competence” and to foster a culture of dialogue, the rule of law and respect for institutions. He emphasized priorities of rebuilding the economy, strengthening public services and attracting investment, describing the parliament as a “new chapter in Syria’s history.”

The transitional body’s limited mandate includes drafting a new constitution, approving the state budget and proposing laws, but it does not have the power to demand a vote of confidence from the government. Women occupy 21 of the 210 seats (about 10 %). Civil‑society groups have criticised the appointment process for concentrating power in the president’s hands and for insufficient representation of ethnic and religious minorities. The United Nations special envoy called the session a “key milestone in the country’s political transition.”