Mohammad Issa: Transitional Govt’s policies ignore national interests

The Transitional Government in Syria is preparing to hold parliamentary elections on October 5. Yet, in the absence of international guarantees, and amid appointments, exclusions, and the marginalization of Sweida and the Autonomous Administration regions in North and East Syria, these elections risk becoming nothing more than a tool to entrench authoritarian control. This, Issa warned, strips the process of inclusivity and fair representation of Syria’s diverse components.

Policies Misplaced

In his remarks to ANHA Agency, Issa said: “It is not only the elections; all current policies adopted by the Transitional Government are misplaced and do not reflect national interests.”

He added: “Elections must stem from a national unity government whose structure and program are agreed upon by Syrians, and which emerges necessarily from a national consensus after a general national conference.”

Appointment of One-Third of Parliament Members is Illegal

Issa noted that the appointment of one-third of the People’s Assembly by the head of the Transitional Government is an illegitimate act that contradicts the national interest. He continued: “The elections being organized are, from the outset, based on a unilateral interpretation derived from a one-sided constitutional declaration that lacks national consensus.”

Parliament Detached from the National Interest

According to Issa, such a parliament—whether a quarter or a third of its members are appointed—fails to serve the national interest, does not provide solutions to the Syrian crisis, and instead exacerbates it, plunging the Syrian people into deeper suffering and hardship.

Fair Representation Through a National Conference

Issa stressed that the fair representation of all Syrian communities in any future parliament must come through a national conference, where Syrians agree on national principles. He explained: “This conference is the only body with the ethical and political legitimacy to determine the form of elections and the share of each component in the electoral process.”

Two Approaches to the Syrian Crisis

Issa pointed out that the issue depends on how political forces approach the national crisis. At present, he said, there are two main approaches:

A centralized, ideological, nation-state model that envisions Syria as a monolithic entity.

A new model of statehood—decentralized, pluralistic, democratic, and civil.

No Solution with Persistent Centralized Ideology

Issa concluded: “If political forces insist on or persist in pursuing a centralized ideological and religious state model, then there will be no solution for Syrians.”

a.k

ANHA