Bashar basking in Baath Party victory
The Syrian parliamentary elections organized by President Bashar al-Assad's regime consecrated the Baath Party's domination and led some critics to say Assad isn't interested in a political solution to the war there.
ALEPPO, Syria — In a strange scene full of contradiction, President Bashar al-Assad's government held parliamentary elections April 13 in a country that has been crumbling under the weight of shelling, battles and displacement for five years in a row.
The elections were only held in areas controlled by the regime, which according to Omran for Strategic Studies constitute only 17% of Syria's land area, while the Islamic State (IS), Kurdish nationalist Democratic Union Party (PYD) and opposition forces control the rest of the country.
The war in Syria has sent about 5 million people fleeing to neighboring countries and elsewhere, but the recent elections were held in a peaceful atmosphere, as if no war has been plaguing the country.
Even in provinces completely outside the regime's control, such as Deir ez-Zor, Idlib and Raqqa, lists of candidates were formed and voters headed to polling stations designated for them in regions under the regime’s control.
