The Syrian “Council of Notables” and the Exclusion of the People - The Syrian Observer

The Syrian “Council of Notables” and the Exclusion of the People - The Syrian Observer

Syrians remain absent from the political process in their own country. Despite the fall of the Assad regime, the transitional authorities have continued to exclude popular participation, relying instead on top-down appointments across institutions that should, in principle, embody democratic values—local councils, unions, and professional syndicates. These bodies, which could feasibly conduct elections in many areas, remain unelected and under g…