The Syrian People's Assembly
Syria, Politics, 11/22/1999

The Syrian Parliament was established on February 12, 1971 according to the legislative decree no. 466. It was then composed of 173 members, including four women.

The parliament aimed at drawing up a permanent constitution for the country. This task was achieved in two years, and the parliament's term was concluded on February 21, 1973.

The first legislative session for the Syrian parliament was opened on June 7, 1973 and ended on June 7, 1977 (exactly four years). It had 186 members and its speaker was Muhammad Ali al-Halabi.

The second legislative session started on August 18, 1977 and ended on August 17, 1981. It had two consecutive speakers: Muhammad Ali al-Halabi and Mahmoud Hadid.

The third legislative course started on November 16, 1981 and ended on November 15, 1985 and was chaired by Mahmoud al-Zou'bi (the current prime minister in Syria).

The fourth legislative course started on February 26, 1986 and ended on February 26, 1990.

The fifth legislative session started on November 6, 1990 and ended on January 6, 1994 with 250 members. It was chaired by Abdul Qader Qaddoura. The 6th legislative session started on October 9, 1994 and ended on September 9, 1998 It was also chaired by Qaddoura.

The current 7th legislative session started on December 17, 1998 and is chaired by Qaddoura.

The number of Syrian women who were members in the PA in its first session was five. Six women were in the second session, 12 in the third, 16 in the fourth, 21 in the fifth, 34 in the sixth session and 36 in the current seventh session.

In the parliament, the Baath party has 135 votes, the independents have 83 votes and another 32 votes are for the parties of the National Progressive Front.

Distribution of PA ( people's assembly) members according to geography: Damascus (Damascus and its countryside) 48 members, Aleppo 52, Homs 23, Hama 22, Idleb 18, Lattakia 17, Deir ezz Zour 14, Hasaka 14, Tartous 13, Daraa 10, Raqqa 8, Sweida 6 and five seats for al-Quneitra.

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