The Syrian People’s Assembly has begun coordinating with a number of executive bodies to launch a legislative phase focused on modernizing the legal framework governing state institutions. The administrative steps are part of broader efforts to improve government efficiency and governance. Speaker of the People’s Assembly Abdul Hamid Awak previously stressed that priority would be given to legislation proposed by the executive branch. He said that a balance would also be maintained between bills submitted by government institutions and proposals put forward by lawmakers. In recent months, several ministries and government agencies have moved forward with drafting new laws and regulations for parliamentary approval. These include proposals from the Ministry of Interior for legislation defining its functions and responsibilities, as well as a law regulating firearm ownership and combating crime. Other proposed legislation concerns the Ministry of Sports and Youth, including amendments related to its responsibilities and affiliated institutions. Additional measures seek to strengthen the organizational structure and authority of the Ministry of Local Administration and its subsidiary bodies and councils, in addition to the final draft of a financial law governing administrative units. Work is also underway on a project covering expropriation, property law, and agrarian reform. A committee formed by the Ministry of Agriculture is leading the initiative in cooperation with several ministries and agencies, including the Ministries of Public Works and Housing, Local Administration, Defense, and Interior, before submitting it to the relevant parliamentary committees. Parliament is also awaiting a new media law drafted by the Ministry of Information, journalism and media unions, and specialized committees tasked with defending journalists’ rights in Syria. Additional legislative proposals include judicial codes of conduct and laws governing the Ministry of Justice and its operations. These steps follow the creation of internal committees within ministries and relevant institutions after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. A series of workshops was organized to review existing legislation, identify legal gaps, incorporate recommendations, and begin drafting new legal frameworks. According to sources who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, parliament is currently focused on approving the committees recently formed, defining their mechanisms of operation, completing logistical and procedural preparations, and approving the budget for its 30 month term. The budget is expected to be approved and announced during the next session, scheduled for the second week of this month. According to the sources, this will be the last session dedicated to parliament’s internal affairs before the legislative phase officially begins. The sources described the process as a “comprehensive legislative revolution” targeting all state institutions and the three branches of government. According to members of the People’s Assembly, the next phase and parliamentary agenda will focus heavily on these projects, which are estimated to number in the dozens and have been submitted by various ministries and institutions, including the Ministries of Justice, Interior, Local Administration and Environment, Sports and Youth, Agriculture, and others. They expect the legislative and voting phase to begin during the next session, starting with laws concerning civil and service institutions linked to local communities and public life. These measures aim to resolve legal contradictions, close loopholes, and clarify overlapping authorities. They are considered urgent legislation needed to improve organizational structures and revitalize institutions that currently face significant governance challenges due to multiple supervisory authorities and the accumulation of laws and decisions. Nevertheless, lawmakers said that parliament’s top priority remains legislation concerning transitional justice, political isolation, and civil service reform. “These laws are directly connected to the Syrian revolution and its social base,” members said, emphasizing their importance in promoting social peace, strengthening stability, and addressing injustices suffered by people dismissed from their jobs because of their support for the revolution. On that basis, the first parliamentary sessions are expected to approve legislation dealing with individuals dismissed because of their stance toward the former regime. The law would establish provisions and mechanisms to address this complex issue, particularly in terms of compensation and creating a special pathway for reinstating them to their former positions or assigning them to other government jobs.
