What Do Syrians Expect from the New People's Assembly?

SadaNews - Syrians have high hopes for the new Syrian People's Assembly, especially after the unusual atmosphere that dominated its inaugural session, which exhibited significant signs of change from previous assemblies.

Citizens hope that the assembly will be a true voice for the people, expressing their hopes and aspirations, and achieving the justice that they have been deprived of for decades under the rule of the Assad family.

According to the report's findings, Syrian citizens were pleased by the absence of applause for the president during the inaugural session of the new assembly, a scene that is uncommon in Syria, where applause has been a hallmark of previous assemblies. Many Syrians believe that this beginning reflects a shift towards democracy and freedom of expression, heralding a new phase of serious parliamentary work.

A Syrian citizen expressed his hope that the new assembly would be a true representative of the people, noting that the significant sacrifices made by Syrians over 15 years of revolution deserve a council that genuinely represents them.

He praised the scene of the absence of applause for the president, considering it evidence that the assembly will not be a "clownish assembly" as in the past, but a true parliament that discusses issues objectively.

For his part, a Syrian expatriate who returned home after 13 years believes that his aspirations are for the assembly to resemble the parliaments in the countries where he lived and to be a channel that conveys the people's voice to the executive authorities.

Absence of Applause

In this context, Dr. Ismail Khalfan, a member of the Supreme Constitutional Court, points out that the first session showed a significant difference from the "applause assemblies" during the regime's past.

He affirmed that assembly members enjoy the freedom of legislative work, considering that they are faced with a great legislative renaissance, as many Syrian laws need to be amended or abolished, particularly regarding the law for dismissed employees, which many demand to be modified to ensure their dignified return and accounting for their period of absence from work as actual service.

Professor Dr. Khaled Al-Khatib discussed the positive impressions left by the first session of the assembly among Syrians, which he said heralds a People's Assembly where members are true representatives of the people, discussing laws objectively without impositions, expressing hope that the assembly will be effective and reflect the aspirations of the Syrian street.

Regarding women's representation, a Syrian woman expressed her satisfaction with the presence of a woman who assumed the position of Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, and she did not hide her hope for more female representation in the upcoming phase.

Opening of the Assembly

On Sunday, the first session of the People's Assembly launched in Damascus, where members took the oath in the presence of President Ahmad Shara, the head of the High Committee for Assembly Elections Muhammad Taha Al-Ahmad, and a number of ministers.

Shara said in a special address that "Syria is writing a glorious history that expresses its heroics, and we are facing the responsibility to build the nation and the individual and prioritize responsibility." He called on assembly members to make it a model in responsibility and efficiency, contributing to establishing a culture of dialogue, the rule of law, and respect for institutions.

The session witnessed the attendance of 206 members out of 210, amid four vacant seats, three of which are allocated to the governorate of Sweida, where no elections were held, in addition to the seat of Idlib governorate member Muhammad Kalthoum, who passed away in mid-June due to a heart attack.

During the session, Abd al-Hamid al-Awak was elected as the assembly president, receiving 99 votes out of the 206 votes cast by assembly members.

The other competitors, Muayad Al-Qablawi received 75 votes, and Muhammad Rami Kurg received 31 votes.

Source: Al Jazeera