Lawyer: Political and legal vacuum behind delay in Syria's People's Council

The first session of the People's Council (Parliament) under the interim government, originally scheduled for June 8 after earlier postponements, has been delayed once again amid continued uncertainty over Syria's political and legislative process.

Observers attribute the delay to complex security, political, and ethnic challenges, as well as shortcomings in the formation of the council and the mechanisms used to select its members, particularly in the regions of Rojava.

In this context, lawyer Hussein stated that "the fall of the Assad regime and the rise of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham to power in Damascus created a political, legal, and legislative vacuum in Syria, resulting in the paralysis of state institutions."

Hussein noted that the interim government has so far failed to reactivate these institutions to enable them to carry out their functions, despite having been in power for nearly two years, contributing to the continued institutional vacuum.

Hussein said one of the main reasons behind postponing the council's inaugural session, which had initially been scheduled for May before being rescheduled to June 8, is the country's ongoing unstable security situation. Hussein also cited regional complications, including developments in Sweida, continued tensions in areas under Turkish military and administrative presence such as Serekaniye, Afrin, Gire Spi, Azaz, al-Bab, and Idlib, as well as what he described as interference in Syria's internal affairs.

Hussein further pointed to continuing security violations against various communities, including repeated incidents of killings and kidnappings, along with the growing activity of ISIS cells following the emptying of al-Hol camp and ISIS detention facilities after they came under the control of interim government forces, amid deteriorating economic and living conditions.

Hussein added that another contributing factor is the lack of clarity and transparency in selecting People's Council members from Hasakah, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor, in addition to challenges surrounding the appointment of the one-third of members designated by the president, amid both domestic and international pressures.

He explained that the Syrian Parliament consists of 210 members, 70 of whom are appointed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa under the current mechanism.

According to Hussein, the absence of stable political and legislative institutions has further delayed parliamentary sessions, compounded by the country's worsening economic conditions.

Hussein concluded by saying that some parties within the interim government seek to postpone the parliament's convening to avoid accountability sessions over the crimes committed on the Syrian coast and in Sweida, or due to concerns that new legislation could limit the prevailing political and security chaos.

Hussein also stressed that the delay in holding parliamentary sessions has reinforced political apathy and disorder, particularly in the absence of a law regulating political parties, weak control over security, economic and legislative affairs, and the continuation of foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs, accompanied by violations of national sovereignty.

Hussein warned that the continued absence of constitutional and legal frameworks poses a serious risk during the current transitional phase, especially as governance relies on appointments, dismissals, and decrees that can later be amended or revoked.

ANHA