New government in Syria: an opportunity for democracy or the birth of another authoritarian regime?

BeirutThe announcement of the formation of a new transitional government in Syria, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, marks a turning point in the country's politics, but his administration's initial decisions have raised questions about the true scope of the change. Despite the rhetoric of inclusion and diversity, the power structure remains concentrated. in the hands of an elite that has shown little openness to carrying out a real transformationThe elimination of the prime minister's post, which consolidates Al Sharaa's executive power, along with the appointment of figures close to him to key positions, raises concerns about the possibility of a new authoritarian regime disguised as reforms.

Syria's political landscape has undergone a significant transformation with the formation of this government after the fall of Bashar al-Assad Last December, which ended decades of Baath Party dominance. With 23 members, the cabinet, which was announced Saturday night, is ethnically and religiously diverse, with representation from the Druze, Kurdish, Alawite, and Christian communities. Hind Kabawat, a Christian and advocate of interfaith tolerance, will assume the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. Raed al-Saleh, leader of the White Helmets—the vital civil defense NGO during the war—has been appointed Minister of Emergencies, and Mohammed Yosr Bernieh will hold the Finance portfolio. However, the inclusion of these figures does not hide the absence of certain key sectors from decision-making.

One of the most controversial points has been the exclusion of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish coalition key to the fight against the Islamic State. Their marginalization in the new cabinet could hamper national reconciliation and increase political fragmentation in an already divided country. Furthermore, the appointment of Asaad al-Shaibani, a close ally of Al-Sharaa, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reinforces the perception that this government is not seeking genuine openness, but rather the strengthening of a new power group.

Al-Sharaa has justified the elimination of the post of prime minister as a strategy to streamline decision-making in a crisis context, but critics warn that this excessively centralizes power. The creation of a new national army, with the integration of rebel factions under the Ministry of Defense, aims to unify the armed forces and reduce military fragmentation. However, the effectiveness of this initiative will depend on the actual capacity to disarm the militias and guarantee the loyalties of the various factions to prevent further massacres against Syrian minorities, particularly against the Alawite community, to which former President Bashar al-Assad belonged.

The international community is on standby

The international community has cautiously watched developments in Syria. While some countries and organizations have recognized the new government and reopened embassies in Damascus, concerns remain about the possible establishment of a system that, under a new facade, perpetuates old practices of repression. The West has urged al-Sharaa to control jihadist fighters and build a truly inclusive government and has warned that failure to meet these demands could lead to the withdrawal of international support and the continued imposition of economic sanctions.

Al-Sharaa has outlined a plan for Syria's political future that includes the formation of a preparatory committee for a National Dialogue Conference to draft a new constitution. This process, according to the president, could take up to five years before free and fair elections are held. However, sectors of the opposition in exile have expressed concern about the lack of guarantees that this transition process will be truly democratic.

Rather than a genuine transition to democracy, the formation of Ahmed al-Sharaa's new government appears to be a strategy of political survival. While the cabinet's composition reflects apparent diversity, actions consolidating power in al-Sharaa's hands and the exclusion of certain key groups raise questions about the government's true commitment to inclusion and democracy.