Damascus, Syria - July 14, 2024

The Syrian parliamentary election campaign started on Monday with a significantly larger proportion of candidates from the business sector than in previous elections, with many vowing comprehensive economic reforms.

The parliamentary elections are held every four years, with 1,516 candidates vying for 250 seats in the People's Assembly this year.

According to data from the United Nations, 90 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line, making people's livelihoods among the top concerns for most Syrians during the elections.

Candidate Fahd Darwish said that while fighting sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the EU are essential to Syria's economic development, the country also needs to reform its domestic economic policies.

"When we take back the occupied territories, oil and wheat, we can rebuild Syria like before. If I become a parliamentary member, my main goal is to identify existing barriers to investment, put forward solutions and suggestions for amending relevant legislation, and propose new policies. I suggest establishing a joint free trade zone on the borders of Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, where people from different cities can travel freely," he said.

Many candidates believe that agriculture, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and electricity are the areas where Syria can make breakthroughs during post-war reconstruction.

"Syria boasts fertile farmland in the coastal areas but has yet to see any investment. Today's farmers need infrastructure, diesel fuel, fertilizer and pesticide. Our campaign slogan is 'joint support for small enterprises.' We care about and support micro and small enterprises," said Musan Nahas, another candidate.

Noting Syria has cheap labor and land after the civil war, Nahas believes the ongoing elections will bring major changes to the country's economic reform, saying the new parliament will roll out new laws to attract investors.

"The Syrian parliament needs economists in it. After the elections, a new government will be formed, and then various chambers of commerce in Syria will hold elections. This means members of chambers of commerce will change at all levels. Everyone will work together in solidarity to support President Bashar al-Assad's comprehensive reform. I hope the next stage would be called a stage of economic changes," Nahas said.

Shotlist:
Damascus, Syria - Recent:
1. Various of Syrian People's Assembly building;
Damascus, Syria - Recent
2. Interview in progress;
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fahd Darwish, candidate, Syrian parliamentary elections (partially overlaid with shots 4-5):
"When we take back the occupied territories, oil and wheat, we can rebuild Syria like before. If I become a parliamentary member, my main goal is to identify existing barriers to investment, put forward solutions and suggestions for amending relevant legislation, and propose new policies. I suggest establishing a joint free trade zone on the borders of Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, where people from different cities can travel freely.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
Damascus, Syria - Recent
4. Various of candidate posters on street, traffic;
Damascus, Syria - Recent
5. Various of candidate posters on street, traffic
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE];
6. Traffic;
7. Various of candidate posters on street;
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Musan Nahas, candidate, Syrian parliamentary elections (starting with shot 7/partially overlaid with shot 9):
"Syria boasts fertile farmland in the coastal areas but has yet to see any investment. Today's farmers need infrastructure, diesel fuel, fertilizer and pesticide. Our campaign slogan is 'joint support for small enterprises.' We care about and support micro and small enterprises.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
Damascus, Syria - Recent
9. Various of candidate posters on street, pedestrians;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Damascus, Syria - February 2024
10. Cityscape, national flag of Syria;
FILE: Damascus, Syria - Sept 20, 2023
11. National flag of Syria, traffic;
Damascus, Syria - Recent
12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Musan Nahas, candidate, Syrian parliamentary elections (starting with shot 11/partially overlaid with shot 13/ending with shot 14):
"The Syrian parliament needs economists in it. After the elections, a new government will be formed, and then various chambers of commerce in Syria will hold elections. This means members of chambers of commerce will change at all levels. Everyone will work together in solidarity to support President Bashar al-Assad's comprehensive reform. I hope the next stage would be called a stage of economic changes.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
Damascus, Syria - Recent
13. Various of candidate posters on street, traffic, pedestrians;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Syria - Exact Location and Date Unknown
14. Various of national flag of Syria, traffic.

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