Russia sees Syrian parliamentary elections as step toward national stability

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russia considers the recent elections to Syria's People's Council an important step in consolidating stability and strengthening the country's state institutions, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday.

"We view the elections as a significant event in the Syrian leadership’s efforts to establish functioning state institutions and strengthen stability in the country," Zakharova told reporters in Moscow.

"We hope that the formation of the parliament will be an important step toward building an effective, sustainable state system in Syria that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people.”

She added that Moscow expects the new convocation of the Syrian People's Council to be representative, saying its work "will create the necessary conditions for ensuring national harmony and protecting the rights and interests of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or religion."

On Oct. 5, members of the electoral colleges voted for 119 of the 210 seats in the Syrian People's Council. Eight of those elected were women, while 21 seats remained vacant due to security concerns in the As-Suwayda, Hasakh, and Raqqa provinces.

The remaining 70 lawmakers will be appointed by the transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Zakharova also expressed concern about renewed tensions in Syria, appreciating the parties' "political will" to end violence.

"We hope that the necessary conditions will be created to avoid further bloodshed and achieve sustainable de-escalation. Of particular urgency, of course, is the task of preventing civilian casualties," she said.

She stressed that lasting stabilization in Syria "lies through broad dialogue aimed at strengthening ethno-confessional groups and national harmony while respecting the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the country."