Syria will hold its first parliamentary elections in mid-September since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The move is part of the new government's effort to gain international recognition and implement economic reforms critical for Syria's reintegration into the global community. Unlike conventional elections, this process will be fully indirect, relying on local electoral bodies composed of community figures responsible for nominating and selecting parliamentarians. The new assembly will consist of 210 seats. One third of the members will be directly appointed by Syrian interim leader Ahmad Al Sharaa, while the remaining two-thirds will be chosen by local electoral colleges. The main responsibilities of the People's Assembly will include overseeing legislative affairs during the transitional period and fostering economic recovery in a country where the majority of the population lives below the poverty line. "There are decisions that practically require a parliament, such as negotiating with Israel, changing the general policy of the state, revising cultural policies, and even integrating foreign militants into the new Syrian military," said Mazen Bilai, a Syrian political expert. Syria's supreme committee for parliamentary elections announced in late August the postponement of parliamentary elections in three provinces due to security challenges: Al-Hasakeh and Raqqa in northeastern Syria, controlled predominantly by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and Sweida in southern Syria, held by the Druze minority. This, in turn, raises questions about the inclusivity of the parliament and how effective it will be. Muhannad Ahmad, a Syrian citizen, hopes that the new parliament will unite the country amid a moment filled with questions about the country's future direction. "I think that the new parliament, after being formed, should have a major role in preserving the unity of the Syrian society, boosting civil peace among Syrian components in addition to conveying the aspirations of the Syrian people in the future of their country," he said. The term of the People's Assembly will last up to three years, until a permanent constitution is adopted. The video shows: Damascus, Syria - Recent 1. City view 2. Various of government building, flags 3. Various of national flags of Syria, traffic 4. Various of pedestrians 5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mazen Bilai, political expert: "There are decisions that practically require a parliament, such as negotiating with Israel, changing the general policy of the state, revising cultural policies, and even integrating foreign militants into the new Syrian military." 6. Various of traffic, buildings, pedestrians 7. Government building 8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Muhannad Ahmad, citizen: "I think that the new parliament, after being formed, should have a major role in preserving the unity of the Syrian society, boosting civil peace among Syrian components in addition to conveying the aspirations of the Syrian people in the future of their country." 9. Various of government building 10. Various of traffic, buildings, pedestrians 11. Various of soldiers 12. Various of meeting of Syrian Democratic Council in progress 13. City view [Restrictions: No Access Chinese mainland/Orient TV/Syria Alshaab TV/Zanoubia TV/Alhurra TV/ANN TV/Al Jazeera/ Al-Arabiya TV]