Analysts Discuss Constitutional Changes in Syria
Political analysts have indicated that the caretaker government in Syria is poised to freeze the current constitution and the operations of the People’s Assembly. This decision is seen as a necessary step amid the ongoing political turmoil in the country. According to a source within the political administration in Damascus, a committee of legal and human rights experts will be established to review and amend the constitution as needed.
Dr. Kamal Abdo, Dean of the Faculty of Political Science at the University of the North in Idlib, described the freezing of the constitution as a crucial measure to prevent the resurgence of the former regime. He emphasized that maintaining the current constitution could lead to a counter-revolution. Abdo stated, “If the current constitution or the current People’s Assembly are maintained, we will be facing a counter-revolution in a few days.” He also noted that while the transitional government cannot approve a new constitution, discussions regarding constitutional matters will involve the entire Syrian populace.
The Role of the Transitional Government
Political researcher Mu'ayyad Ghazlan Qablawi supported the caretaker government's decision, labeling it a preventive measure essential for safeguarding the political path that Syrians have long awaited. He pointed out that the old constitution was never effectively implemented and argued that it contradicts the realities of the ongoing revolution.
Mahmoud Alloush, a writer and political researcher, characterized the caretaker government's actions as a natural response from any new authority emerging from significant political change. He stressed the importance of involving diverse segments of Syrian society in discussions about the constitution and other political issues. Alloush outlined a two-track approach for Syria's transformation: quickly establishing a government to fill the power vacuum and preparing for a more complex political transition that includes constitutional reform.
International Support for Syria's Political Transition
Engineer Mohammed Al-Bashir has been appointed to lead the transitional government, which is expected to last until early March. Al-Bashir previously led the “Salvation Government” in Idlib, a stronghold for opposition factions. The United States, Britain, and other Western nations have expressed their backing for Syria's political transition, contingent on the establishment of a comprehensive, non-sectarian government that aligns with the aspirations of the Syrian people for freedom and social justice.
Alloush highlighted the necessity for the political transition to gain international legitimacy, which requires participation from various ethnic and sectarian groups within Syria. He noted that the legitimacy of any governing authority derives from the people, and the recent developments indicate that the Syrian populace has granted internal legitimacy to the new authority. This sentiment was echoed by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who reaffirmed Washington's support for a civilian government in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, which reportedly fled to Moscow last Sunday.
