Sharaa calls for ‘new chapter’ in Syria’s history as new parliament convenes

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa called for “a new chapter in the country’s history,” as the newly elected parliament held its first session on Sunday.

"Today, Syria is writing a new chapter in its history – one that reflects its civilization, values, and heritage,” he said in an address to the People’s Assembly as cited by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

"Together, let us build the history of a modern Syria," he added.

He urged lawmakers to make the parliament "a model of responsibility and competence," while promoting dialogue, the rule of law, and respect for state institutions.

Several Cabinet ministers and officials attended Sunday’s parliamentary session, which came a week an initial date was postponed.

A total of 206 members of the 210-seat parliament attended the session. Absentees included three representatives from the southern Suwayda province.

Lawmakers took the constitutional oath before Sharaa, and the assembly is expected to elect members of its presidential bureau.

The three vacant seats allocated to Suwayda resulted from security challenges and restrictions in the province linked to violations by the militia of Hikmat al-Hijri, one of Syria's Druze spiritual leaders.

However, Suwayda remained represented in the parliament through a supplementary one-third appointed by Sharaa, which included Laith al-Balous and Subh al-Baddah to ensure the province's representation, without affecting its legal right to fill the remaining vacant seats at a later stage.

Sunday’s inaugural session came days after the full composition of the People's Assembly was finalized after Sharaa issued a decree listing all assembly members, including the supplementary one-third appointed by the president.

The new parliament consists of 210 members, with 140 elected through electoral bodies across Syria's provinces, while Sharaa appointed 70 members, in line with the country’s temporary electoral system.

​​​​​​​These political developments mark a key step in rebuilding Syria's state institutions following the overthrow of the Assad regime on Dec. 8, 2024. Following his father’s nearly 30-year reign, Bashar Assad ruled the country from 2000 until 2024.