Syria's First Post-Assad Parliament Convenes in Damascus Session

Syria's first parliament since the fall of Bashar al-Assad held its inaugural session in Damascus on Sunday, July 12, 2026, marking a milestone in the country's political transition.

A New Assembly

The 210-seat transitional People's Assembly convened for the first time since rebels led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa toppled Assad in December 2024. The session represented one of the most significant steps yet in reshaping Syria's institutions after more than a decade of conflict.

Two-thirds of the members were chosen by regional electoral colleges last year, while al-Sharaa appointed the remaining third on July 1. The arrangement reflects the interim structure guiding the transition and the balance between elected and appointed representatives.

Vacant Seats

The session opened with 206 members. Three seats reserved for the Druze-majority Sweida province remain unfilled amid ongoing tensions, and one seat is vacant following the death of a member.

The gaps underscore the challenges facing the new body as it seeks to represent the whole country during a fragile period of transition, with parts of the population still outside the process.

Oath and Leadership

Lawmakers took the constitutional oath during the opening session. They then elected Abdul Hamid al-Awak, a judge from Hassakeh, as speaker of the assembly, placing a member of the judiciary at the head of the new legislature.

The transitional People's Assembly will serve a 30-month term, giving it a defined window to help steer the country's institutions during the post-Assad period.

The session was reported by outlets including PBS, Al Jazeera, Al-Monitor, Arab News, The National, the South China Morning Post and Enab Baladi.