The First People's Assembly () was the first elected parliament of the Syria under the 1973 Constitution and the Corrective Movement led by Hafez al-Assad. It was also the first elected parliament since 1961.

Background

Following the adoption of the 1973 Constitution and the issuance of the General Elections Law (Legislative Decree No. 26 of 14 April 1973), parliamentary elections were held on 25 and 26 May 1973. The results were ratified by Presidential Decree No. 1093 of 29 May 1973.

The assembly was formally convened by Presidential Decree No. 1094 on 9 June 1973. During its inaugural session, Hafez al-Assad delivered a keynote address outlining the political direction of the state under the new constitutional order.

Bureau Position Name Party Tenure Speaker Muhammad Ali al-Halabi Deputy Speaker Muhammad Adel Jamous Secretary Abd al-Nafi' al-Sibai Sarem Youssef Khalid al-Hamud Tawfiq al-Naqri Overseer Qusay al-Sheikh George Harika Fayez Issa Said Suleiman Hasan Jumaa

Members

Activities

The First People's Assembly undertook extensive legislative work, reviewing approximately 440 laws and legislative decrees covering a wide range of political, economic, and social issues. Most of these were subsequently promulgated by the President.

On 6 October 1973, during the term of the assembly, Syria participated in the October War against Israel, marking a major event in the country's modern history.

Parliamentary diplomacy

The assembly played a notable role in expanding Syria's parliamentary relations at the regional and international levels.

Between 19 and 21 June 1974, it participated in the establishment of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, whose founding conference was held in Damascus (Bloudan). The city subsequently became the permanent headquarters of the organisation's General Secretariat.

In 1974, the assembly joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union, headquartered in Geneva, and began participating regularly in its biannual conferences, becoming an active member of the international parliamentary community.

Role of women

Women were represented in the assembly, with five female deputies elected. On 5 October 1974, two women were elected to chair permanent committees: Hajar Sadiq as head of the Committee on Guidance and Information, and Salma Najib as head of the Committee on Arab and Foreign Affairs.

Major legislations Law No. 33 of 21 December 1975 establishing the General Women's Union

References