A dramatic move in Damascus. Syria’s new ruler, Ahmed al-Shara, has appointed 70 lawmakers to the People’s Assembly. This is the first post-Assad parliament. The West is watching closely. The question: genuine reform or consolidation of power?
The appointments were announced late Thursday. No public explanation. Just a list of names. Insiders say they are all loyalists. Some are technocrats. Others are tribal leaders. All are men. No women. That’s a step back from the token representation under Assad.
This comes after months of speculation about al-Shara’s intentions. He took power in a quiet coup. No fanfare. He promised a new Syria. A break from the Assad era. But this move suggests continuity. Not change. The new parliament will serve until elections in 2025. That is a long time to hold power without a public mandate.
Western diplomats are alarmed. One source in the Foreign Office told me: “This looks like a power grab. We are reassessing.” The US has already condemned the move. A State Department spokesperson called it “a dangerous consolidation of authoritarian rule.” But behind the scenes, the West is split. Some argue engagement is better than isolation. Others want to cut ties.
The real story here is the balance of power. Al-Shara needs the West. He needs aid and investment. But he also needs to manage his domestic coalition. The 70 lawmakers are his insurance policy. They ensure no challenge from the old guard or the new opposition. It is a classic political game. Appease the allies and neutralize the rivals.
There are rumors of a cabinet revolt. Some of al-Shara’s own ministers are uneasy. They see this as a betrayal of the transition. But no one is speaking publicly. Fear is still a tool in Damascus. The new ruler knows how to wield it.
For now, the West is on alert. But expect quiet negotiations. The intelligence chatter is all about red lines. What will it take for al-Shara to backtrack? Probably nothing. He has made his move. The game is set.
