Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, announced the formation of a caretaker government on Saturday, which will guide the nation through a pivotal transition following over 50 years of dictatorship under the Assad family.
Mr. al-Shara, who led the coalition that overthrew the Assad regime, appointed new ministers during a ceremony attended by several hundred dignitaries at the presidential palace in Damascus. The government includes experienced officials and one woman, with close allies appointed to key positions in defense, foreign affairs, and interior ministries.
Since ousting President Bashar al-Assad in December, the rebels have been acting as Syria’s de facto authorities. Mr. al-Shara has committed to establishing a caretaker government by March that will remain in place until elections can occur, a process he estimates could take up to four years due to the country's current turmoil.
The composition of the new government is viewed as a critical test of Mr. al-Shara's ability to extend power beyond his immediate circle and fulfill his commitment to an inclusive administration that reflects Syria’s diverse religious and ethnic groups.
The caretaker government is set to govern for five years, during which a permanent constitution will be adopted and elections will be conducted, as outlined in an interim constitution approved this month.
The announcement indicates that Mr. al-Shara is responding to pressures from Syrian society, minority groups, and foreign governments considering lifting sanctions. In a move to address criticism, he replaced his brother as minister of health and appointed two prominent activists to lead ministries: Raed al-Saleh as minister of disasters and emergencies, and Hind Kabawat as minister of social affairs, the only woman in the new cabinet.
To acknowledge the Kurdish minority, Mr. al-Shara appointed a Kurd as minister of education, a position that will be scrutinized for its approach to reforming the Assad regime’s education system.
Arab and Western leaders have stated that full ties with Syria’s new government, including the easing of sanctions, will depend on the establishment of a political process that reflects the country's ethnic and religious diversity.
While leading the transitional authority, Mr. al-Shara has filled key government roles with allies from his previous administration in the rebel-held city of Idlib. The announcement follows a recent conference convened by Mr. al-Shara for Syrians to provide input on the interim administration.
Domestic and international pressure on Mr. al-Shara increased after violent clashes in Syria’s coastal region this month, resulting in over 1,000 deaths, many of whom were civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Mr. al-Shara has also secured agreements with the Kurdish-led militia, supported by the United States, and with Druse leaders in southern Syria.
The constitutional declaration announced this month was developed by a committee led by a constitutional law professor. It maintains a strong presidential system while introducing a separation of government branches and an independent judiciary, marking a departure from the prior authoritarian regime.
However, the declaration retains a stipulation that the president must be a Muslim and guarantees freedoms of opinion, expression, information, publication, and press. Some groups have criticized the temporary constitution for failing to recognize Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious groups or establish a power-sharing framework, while others view it as a solid interim document that can ensure stability and allow for future discussions on reforms.
Ibrahim Draji, a law professor at Damascus University, noted that the temporary constitution includes safeguards against a return to dictatorship, such as a three-month limit on states of emergency. Conversely, Faeq Huaiji, a lawyer and co-founder of the Equal Citizenship Center, raised concerns regarding the lack of adequate checks on presidential power within the temporary constitution.