Syria’s New Leader Projects Four-Year Timeline for Elections
Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s new leader, indicated that elections could take up to four years, contingent upon conducting a population census followed by constitution drafting. He anticipates substantial changes in the coming year and seeks to reassure neighboring countries of Syria’s stability while highlighting the pivotal role of international relations, particularly with Russia.
In his first remarks regarding an electoral timeline following the recent ousting of Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, indicated that the process of holding elections could potentially take up to four years. Al-Sharaa stated that elections will follow the completion of a comprehensive population census, which is necessary to accurately determine the number of eligible voters. He mentioned that drafting a new constitution is expected to take up to three years and emphasized the significant changes anticipated within the next year.
Al-Sharaa also indicated that the dominant military and political organization, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), would be dissolved during a national dialogue conference. The comments were made in an effort to assure neighboring nations of both peace and stability within Syria. In addition, al-Sharaa reaffirmed Syria’s strategic partnership with Russia, asserting the mutual interests of both nations amid the ongoing geopolitical complexities. Furthermore, he expressed hope that the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump would reconsider sanctions imposed on Syria, reflecting a pragmatic approach towards international relations.
Syria has faced a devastating civil war for over a decade, leading to significant political turmoil and humanitarian crises. In recent developments, Ahmed al-Sharaa, affiliated with the opposition group HTS, successfully ousted Bashar al-Assad, marking a pivotal change in leadership. Al-Sharaa’s discussions about future elections highlight the transitional phase the country is navigating, along with the complexities of rebuilding its political infrastructure amid ongoing regional and international pressures.
The remarks by Ahmed al-Sharaa represent a significant shift in Syrian politics and signal the potential for a long transition towards democratic elections. The necessity for a comprehensive population census and the drafting of a new constitution underscores the challenges ahead. Moreover, the emphasis on relations with Russia and hopes for easing sanctions suggest that Syria’s new leadership is keen on establishing a stable and cooperative international standing as it moves forward.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
