Abdul Hamid al-Awak won election as speaker on Sunday after Syria's new 210-member parliament held its first session since Bashar Assad's ouster.
The assembly is meant to restart lawmaking after years of autocratic rule and civil war, with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa telling lawmakers they were consolidating the state after "regaining freedom."
Two-thirds of the chamber were chosen through electoral colleges, while al-Sharaa directly appointed the remaining one-third.
The parliament will serve a 30-month term as Syria prepares future elections and begins drafting new laws during its post-Assad transition.
Can a former rebel leader deliver democracy, or is Syria building a new autocracy?
Will Syria's transitional justice hold all war criminals accountable, or only the vanquished?
Syria’s 210-Seat Transitional Parliament Convenes: Representation Gaps, Executive Power, and the Road to Constitutional Reform
Overview
In July 2026, Syria reached a pivotal moment in its post-conflict recovery as its new 210-seat transitional parliament convened for the first time, nearly 18 months after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime. This parliament, established following a temporary constitutional declaration in March 2025, marks a critical step toward building a new political framework and more stable governance. Its main mandate is to draft a new constitution and guide a 30-month transitional period, setting the stage for comprehensive reforms and a future democratic transition in Syria.