Syrian President appoints the final 70 members to the new parliament

Syrian President Beşar Esad appointed the final 70 members of the new parliament. With these appointments, fifteen more women entered the parliament in addition to the only six female deputies elected by regional election boards last October. Thus, the number of female deputies rose to 21. The appointments are significant in terms of shaping the political balances in Syria and the representation of the Esad administration in the parliament.

Among the newly appointed deputies are representatives from various ethnic and religious groups. This is interpreted as the Esad administration's effort to reflect the diversity in the country. However, opposition groups argue that the appointments do not provide genuine representation and are aimed at consolidating the regime's control. Especially since the start of the civil war in 2011, political processes in Syria have frequently been criticized.

The issue of women's representation has been a long-debated topic in Syria. The election of only six women in last October's elections shows that women are not sufficiently involved in politics. With the fifteen women appointed by Esad, the proportion of women in the parliament rose to just over 10 percent. Although this rate falls well below international standards, it represents an increase compared to previous periods.

The new structure of the parliament is also important for the political future in Syria. The Esad administration aims to use the parliament as a tool for reforms and laws. However, the international community reiterates its criticisms that the political process in Syria is not inclusive and that the opposition is excluded. In particular, the United Nations is calling for a more broadly participatory dialogue for a political solution in Syria.

As a result, Esad's appointments are once again shaping the political landscape in Syria. Although the increase in women's representation is seen as a positive step, the absence of opposition voices in the parliament and concerns about the transparency of the election process continue. The need for a more inclusive and fair political process to resolve the political crisis in Syria is frequently emphasized by the international community.