Lawmaker process 'undemocratic'

SYRIAS Kurds yesterday criticised the upcoming selection of members of a new transitional parliament as undemocratic, after authorities postponed the process for Kurdish-controlled areas in the north and northeast.

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After toppling longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, Syria's new authorities dissolved the parliament and adopted a temporary constitution for a five-year transition.

The selection of a transitional parliament is planned for September. Appointed local bodies will pick two-thirds of the 210 lawmakers and President Ahmed al-Sharaa will name the rest.

But an election committee official said Saturday that the process would be postponed in Druze-majority Sweida province and Kurdish-held Raqa and Hasakeh provinces, citing “security challenges” and saying it could only go ahead in “territories controlled by the state”.