Election date announced in Syria

HTS leader Ahmed Shara, serving as the interim President of Syria, has announced that the country will head to the polls in four years. Shara stated that Syria will be built upon an institutional structure based on elections.

Speaking at the 23rd Doha Forum held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, Shara stated that Israel has carried out over a thousand airstrikes on Syria since December 8, 2024, and that many civilians lost their lives in the latest of these attacks in Beit Jinn in the Damascus countryside. Shara said they are working with international actors to ensure Israel's withdrawal from the occupied territories and that this demand has received broad support. He also noted that the US is involved in these negotiations.

Shara expressed that during transition periods, governments cannot always reach a full consensus with all segments of society, that unacceptable situations have occurred over the past year, and that the perpetrators involved in these issues are being prosecuted.

Touching upon the strengthening of the country's electrical infrastructure, Shara stated that when they took office, electricity was provided for only 1.5 hours a day, but that this duration has now increased to 12-14 hours, and that they will become self-sufficient by the end of the year.

Announcing that elections will be held in four years following a five-year transition period, Shara emphasized that they are building Syria's future with a governance model based on institutions rather than individuals. He noted that representation in the government is provided based on merit.

Shara stated that the country has transitioned to a new administration following the ousted regime and that the roadmap regarding the transition process has begun to be implemented. Reminding that the People's Assembly elections were held in accordance with this process, Shara reiterated that general elections will be held in four years.