Our team is investigating behind the scenes to determine the direction of President Ahmad al-Sharaa and the ruling of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Damascus.
Regarding the issue of the parliament’s presidency and how parliament members will be appointed, we note that there will be no elections. However, the political administrations appointed by HTS in the provinces will nominate candidates who will not pose any burden to the decisions of the president and HTS.
One of the main reasons for preventing any local electoral process is the presence of two orientations within HTS. One is a hardline Islamist movement that favours Islamic rule.
The other reason, many HTS members fear prosecution on terrorism charges. Therefore, immunity will be granted to them by the parliament.
As for the other componentsโChristians and othersโthey will have marginal representation that will not pose any obstacle to HTS.
Currently, the political administration led by HTS is circulating some names of Christians and other components to be appointed.
