Damascus, Syria - Recent

Syrians on Monday started voting for new members of the People's Assembly as scheduled, with expectations of new political and economic reforms to take place for the rebuilding of the war-torn country.

Syria has been left crippled by years of warfare and isolated by a series of Western sanctions which have further worsened the country's economy.

Syria remains deeply divided after more than 13 years of civil war, albeit a 2020 ceasefire in Syria's north-western Idlib province has reduced the intensity of fighting. The Syrian government currently controls about three-quarters of the territory, However, significant areas of the north are still under the control of the opposition.

This round of parliamentary elections is mainly held in government-controlled areas with more than 8,000 polling stations setting up in 15 districts. It is the fourth one taking place in Syria since the civil war erupted in 2011.

Syrian political expert Tariq said that the elections could bring stability to the Syrian government-controlled areas.

"These candidates have no history of corruption. The Syrian people will realize that these people can represent them in the People's Assembly. There will be more frequent interactions between the future government and the People's Assembly, and we can achieve development and reform through accountability," said Tariq.

Syrian political expert Osama noted that it might be unrealistic to pin the hope on the parliamentary elections to promote the political settlement process of the Syrian issue and that the obstacle to the political process lies in the opposition side of the talks.

"The opposition is influenced in its political decision-making by some neighboring countries as well as regional and global powers, which also weakens the nationally oriented nature of these opposition groups. Therefore, this issue has repeatedly become an obstacle to the progress of negotiations in several rounds of negotiations," said Osama.

Shotlist:
Damascus, Syria - Recent:
1. Various of traffic, posters of candidates for Syria's parliamentary elections;
2. Various of Syrian political expert Tariq speaking;
3. Man on street, poster of candidate;
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Tariq, Syrian political expert (full name not given) (starting with shot 3/partially overlaid with shots 5-6):
"These candidates have no history of corruption. The Syrian people will realize that these people can represent them in the People's Assembly. There will be more frequent interactions between the future government and the People's Assembly, and we can achieve development and reform through accountability.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
Damascus, Syria - Recent
5. Various of Syrian People's Assembly building;
Damascus, Syria - Recent
6. Traffic
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE];
Damascus, Syria - Recent
7. Various of candidate posters on street, traffic, pedestrians;
Damascus, Syria - Recent
8. Various of pedestrians;
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Osama, Syrian political expert (full name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 10):
"The opposition is influenced in its political decision-making by some neighboring countries as well as regional and global powers, which also weakens the nationally oriented nature of these opposition groups. Therefore, this issue has repeatedly become an obstacle to the progress of negotiations in several rounds of negotiations."
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE];
10. Pedestrians, candidate poster
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE];
Damascus, Syria - Recent
11. Various of candidate posters on street, traffic;
Damascus, Syria - Recent
12. Traffic.

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