Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a draft constitutional declaration on Thursday, marking the beginning of a five-year transitional period for the country. The document, prepared by an expert committee, lays out key provisions for Syria’s post-Assad future. The committee stated that the declaration was formulated based on the resolutions of the National Dialogue Conference held in February 2025.

A major provision of the declaration is the dissolution of the existing Constitutional Court, which has been described as a “remnant of the previous regime.” In its place, the president will have the authority to appoint a new constitutional court that will function under current legal frameworks until a reformed judicial system is established. Emphasising the judiciary’s independence, the committee underlined that any decision regarding the president’s dismissal, removal, or restriction of powers would fall under the jurisdiction of the country’s parliament. The declaration also enforces a strict separation of powers, granting the legislature full authority while assigning executive powers to the president.

The committee justified the concentration of executive authority in the president’s hands as a necessary measure for ensuring swift decision-making in addressing potential challenges. Under the new framework, the president will have the power to declare a state of emergency with approval from the National Security Council, while any extension will require parliamentary consent. The transitional system will maintain existing administrative and civil judicial structures, as an immediate shift to a unified judiciary was deemed impractical.

The declaration also guarantees fundamental rights, including property rights, women’s rights in education, employment, and politics, as well as freedoms of speech, expression, media, and publication. It reaffirms Syria’s territorial unity while acknowledging and respecting its cultural diversity. Additionally, the declaration strengthens the role of Islamic law in the country’s legal framework. Unlike the previous constitution, which referred to Islamic jurisprudence as “a main source” of legislation, the new declaration designates it as “the main source.” This shift, highlighted during the signing ceremony, was described by the drafting committee as a recognition of the enduring value of Islamic jurisprudence, calling it “a true treasure that should not be squandered.”

After signing the document, President al-Sharaa expressed hope that this new phase would lead Syria towards progress and stability, replacing “ignorance with knowledge and suffering with mercy.” His leadership follows the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s nearly 25-year rule, which ended when he fled to Russia on 8 December 2024, effectively bringing the Baath Party’s six-decade reign to a close.al-Sharaa, who played a key role in ousting Assad, was declared president in late January and subsequently abolished the previous constitution while dissolving armed factions, security agencies, parliament, and the Baath Party.