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Criticism Over Concentration of Power in the Presidency… Syrian Party Calls for a National Constitutional Conference
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Criticism of the constitutional declaration reflects concerns about repeating the previous governance model, where power is concentrated in the hands of one individual without genuine representation o
The Syrian party People’s Will has voiced its concerns that the details of the newly issued constitutional declaration fail to meet the demands and gravity of the transitional phase Syria is undergoing. The party argues that the document lacks the fundamental principle of "rule by the people, for the people."
In a statement, the party emphasized:
"On March 13, 2025, transitional interim President Ahmad Al-Shar’a signed the constitutional declaration, consisting of 53 articles, which was drafted by a committee appointed by Al-Shar’a himself—similar to how the interim government and the preparatory committee for the National Dialogue Conference were formed. This process failed to ensure broad and genuine political and social representation in Syria."
The statement outlined key concerns regarding the declaration:
The Transitional Period
The declaration sets the transitional period at five years, leaving the country without a permanent constitution for an extended duration. The party warned that this could heighten risks to national unity, increase opportunities for foreign intervention, and further delay the lifting of international sanctions.
The statement stressed that a constitution could be drafted within a year through a broadly inclusive national conference, ensuring the Syrian people's right to determine their future through free and transparent elections at all levels.
Absence of "Rule by the People"
The party criticized the declaration for failing to uphold the principle of rule by the people, a core democratic tenet and the result of decades of struggle by Syrians.
While acknowledging that centralized authority is necessary in critical transitional periods, the party argued that such centralization would be weak and unstable unless backed by a broad national consensus. The declaration, it warned, grants the executive branch and the presidential office sweeping powers over all three branches of government, effectively recreating a previous constitutional framework that entrenched one-party rule.
A Disappointing Framework
The People’s Will party concluded its statement by describing the constitutional declaration as disappointing and unfit to serve as a foundation for a smooth transition that safeguards Syria’s unity and shields it from external interference.
The party called for an urgent move to convene a comprehensive national conference that would enable Syrians to determine their fate, strengthen national unity, and form an inclusive unity government capable of leading the country to safety.
