The new constitutional framework seeks to establish justice, rights, and a more inclusive government, all while navigating deep national fractures.
Syria’s Interim Leader Enacts Temporary Constitution Amid Ongoing Turmoil
Syria’s Interim Leader Enacts Temporary Constitution Amid Ongoing Turmoil
Ahmed al-Sharaa's declaration aims for a five-year transitional governance structure.
Syria's interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has signed a constitutional declaration that outlines a five-year transitional period, marking a significant moment following the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad by his Islamist-led faction. The newly drafted document retains Islam as the religion of the president, aligning closely with the previous constitution but elevates Islamic jurisprudence as "the main source of legislation."
Sharaa expressed optimism, stating, "We hope it will be a new history for Syria, where we replace oppression with justice." His outlook was echoed by UN special envoy Geir Pedersen, who acknowledged this step as crucial for restoring legal order in the country. However, the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria has criticized the declaration as failing to reflect the country's diversity.
The recent offensive by rebel forces saw Sharaa take on the role of president, effectively abolishing the Assad-era constitution while dismantling the former regime's institutions. Just days ago, Sharaa announced a committee tasked with drafting this constitutional declaration, which will underpin the transitional governance framework. Committee member Abdul Hamid al-Awak noted that the declaration is intended to balance state security with individual rights and freedoms, emphasizing the necessity for absolute separation of powers in contrast to Assad's historical governance approach.
During this transitional phase, the president will wield executive power, limited to only one "exceptional power"—the ability to declare a state of emergency. A newly established People's Assembly will be responsible for crafting legislation, with two-thirds of its members appointed by a committee chosen by the president, leaving the final third to be directly selected by Sharaa.
Despite these developments, Sharaa faces considerable pressure and challenges, particularly stemming from ongoing violence and unrest in Syria, which has root causes dating back to the civil conflict ignited by Assad's stringent suppression of pro-democracy protests 14 years prior. Just last week, an attack attributed to Sharaa's government supporters led to revenge killings against the Alawite community, which has exacerbated tensions.
In response, Sharaa has committed to holding those responsible for such acts accountable, establishing a committee dedicated to maintaining civil order. Nonetheless, fears remain among Alawites and other minority groups regarding Sharaa's true intentions, given his historical ties to terror groups.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has voiced his concern over the civilian casualties and underscored that Syria’s potential hope for a more democratic and inclusive future now hinges on decisive action from its leaders.
Sharaa expressed optimism, stating, "We hope it will be a new history for Syria, where we replace oppression with justice." His outlook was echoed by UN special envoy Geir Pedersen, who acknowledged this step as crucial for restoring legal order in the country. However, the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria has criticized the declaration as failing to reflect the country's diversity.
The recent offensive by rebel forces saw Sharaa take on the role of president, effectively abolishing the Assad-era constitution while dismantling the former regime's institutions. Just days ago, Sharaa announced a committee tasked with drafting this constitutional declaration, which will underpin the transitional governance framework. Committee member Abdul Hamid al-Awak noted that the declaration is intended to balance state security with individual rights and freedoms, emphasizing the necessity for absolute separation of powers in contrast to Assad's historical governance approach.
During this transitional phase, the president will wield executive power, limited to only one "exceptional power"—the ability to declare a state of emergency. A newly established People's Assembly will be responsible for crafting legislation, with two-thirds of its members appointed by a committee chosen by the president, leaving the final third to be directly selected by Sharaa.
Despite these developments, Sharaa faces considerable pressure and challenges, particularly stemming from ongoing violence and unrest in Syria, which has root causes dating back to the civil conflict ignited by Assad's stringent suppression of pro-democracy protests 14 years prior. Just last week, an attack attributed to Sharaa's government supporters led to revenge killings against the Alawite community, which has exacerbated tensions.
In response, Sharaa has committed to holding those responsible for such acts accountable, establishing a committee dedicated to maintaining civil order. Nonetheless, fears remain among Alawites and other minority groups regarding Sharaa's true intentions, given his historical ties to terror groups.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has voiced his concern over the civilian casualties and underscored that Syria’s potential hope for a more democratic and inclusive future now hinges on decisive action from its leaders.
