Designing a suitable political system requires careful consideration of the country’s societal complexities and historical experiences.
The issue of governance and the distribution of power in a new constitution is crucial, particularly in the transition from authoritarianism to democracy. In Syria’s case, designing a suitable political system requires careful consideration of the country’s societal complexities and historical experiences. Additionally, effective oversight mechanisms must be established to maintain a balance of power among different branches of government.
The choice of the political system will be a defining factor in Syria’s future. There are three primary options: the presidential system, in which the president is elected directly by the people and wields broad powers, potentially leading to authoritarianism; the parliamentary system, where an elected parliament serves as the primary governing body but may result in government instability due to political pluralism; the mixed system, where the election of the president is directly elected with limited powers, while the prime minister remains accountable to parliament.
Decentralisation is another critical aspect of Syria’s new constitution, ensuring fair representation across the country’s regions. Administrative decentralisation grants provinces the authority to manage local affairs while leaving sovereign decisions to the central government. Political or federal decentralisation, which allows regions to exercise broad legislative and administrative powers, could lead to division if not carefully structured. Meanwhile, a confederacy system, which provides territories with near-total autonomy, could weaken national cohesion and is widely considered unsuitable for Syria.
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To ensure the success of any future governance model, strong constitutional safeguards must be established. These include an independent judiciary separate from the executive branch, a robust legal framework protecting human rights and civil liberties, and a widely accepted and sustainable constitution. Additionally, security and military reform should prevent military interference in politics while ensuring civilian oversight of security agencies.
Nawar Najma, a member of the National Dialogue Conference in Damascus, told +963 that the presidential system is the most suitable for Syria. He emphasized the importance of electing both the president and parliament directly, forming a government based on the parliamentary majority, and holding free and fair elections to strengthen democracy and move away from authoritarian rule.
Najma also highlighted the necessity of enhancing decentralization by granting governors greater authority and ensuring fair elections for local councils to promote political stability.
Political science researcher Abdel Nasser al-Qadri also told +963 that a presidential system is the most suitable choice for the current phase, given the security and economic challenges that require strong leadership. He argued that Syria’s stability hinges on the government’s ability to implement political and economic agreements, warning that failure to do so would exacerbate future challenges.
Political analysts contend that Syria’s future governance model should ensure a balance of power, equitable political participation, and a mixed system that fosters both stability and democracy. Expanded administrative decentralization is seen as essential to achieving balanced development and fair representation in decision-making while preserving national unity.
