Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, estimates it may take up to four years for elections in Syria, with three years needed for a new constitution. He emphasized the necessity of a population census and political dialogue to unify the nation following decades of Assad’s dictatorship. He also indicated HTS will dissolve in the upcoming transition toward a new government.
In a recent statement, Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), indicated that it may take up to four years for Syria to conduct elections following the group’s rapidly successful insurgency that displaced President Bashar Assad. Al-Sharaa commented that drafting a new constitution could take three years and affirmed that a valid election necessitates a comprehensive population census. Citing the complexity of uniting various factions and rebuilding devastated infrastructure, he noted that a political dialogue is essential to establish a stable governance structure after decades of autocratic rule under the al-Assad regime. Al-Sharaa remarked that “the chance we have today doesn’t come every five or 10 years” in reference to the importance of this transitional phase.
Syria has been embroiled in a protracted civil war since 2011, following a popular uprising against President Bashar Assad. The conflict has seen the rise and fall of various armed groups, with HTS, an Islamist faction, emerging as a significant player. The anticipated dialogue among Syrian factions aims to pave the way for a transitional government that can address the nation’s numerous challenges, including reconstruction efforts and establishing democratic processes. Despite recent successes, the country remains fraught with complexities, including ongoing tensions with Israeli forces and disputes involving the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
Ahmad al-Sharaa’s insights reveal the lengthy and complicated process ahead for Syria following the recent regime change. The commitment to drafting a constitution and conducting elections is underscored by the need for comprehensive political dialogue and infrastructure reconstruction. The dialogue set for March aims to unite the fractured country and establish a transitional governance framework. Nonetheless, external pressures, including various military actions in the area, continue to challenge the stability and future of Syria.
Original Source: www.euronews.com
