For decades before the Syrian crisis began, it was customary in the Syrian political system for the Ba’ath party to nominate a candidate for the presidency, and the people voted for him in a referendum (not an election). Or not. But after a wave of protests in Syria escalated, as well as escalating violence and the subsequent crisis, the Syrian constitution was amended in 2012 to hold elections as defined by all pro-democracy countries with several candidates.
Thus, the first presidential election in Syria was held in 2014, in the midst of the country’s war on terrorism. In this election, Bashar al-Assad, who was elected president of Syria in 2000 after his father, Hafez al-Assad, was re-elected with 88% of the vote. An example of real democracy.
Of course, the conditions for holding the elections in 2014 were very different due to the many conflicts inside Syria between the army and domestic and foreign terrorist groups, and the Syrian people found it difficult to go to the polls to elect their president. It was also not possible to set up polling stations throughout Syria; Because, at that time, a significant part of the Syrian territory was in the hands of terrorists. However, people from all over Syria came to the polls.
Syrian democracy among authoritarian Arab regimes
Of course, the implementation of democracy in Syria as an Arab country among countries whose system is mainly based on monarchy and people do not have the right to comment on the political structure was not to the liking of some Arab brothers, as well as the West and the United States. They continued this process and emphasized that they would not recognize the Syrian elections, But the Syrians fulfilled this duty and national right in the midst of all the difficulties and in the midst of the war on terrorism.
At that time, the United States and its Western and Arab allies were counting down the days to the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria; But when Bashar al-Assad won this time with the vote of nearly 90 percent of the Syrian people, it became clear that the Syrian people did not believe in the deception and lies of the West against the Assad government.
According to the Syrian constitution, presidential elections are held every seven years, and now Syrians living inside and outside the country go to the polls in completely different circumstances from 2014.
The distinguishing feature of the Syrian presidential elections in 2021 and 2014
At this stage, the Syrian government, with the support of its allies, has managed to take control of a large part of the country’s territory, and there is no news of the headquarters of terrorist groups in this country. Therefore, elections are held in wider geography and it is easy for everyone to participate in elections.
Factors of US and Western efforts to prevent the Syrian elections
At this stage, Syria is not safe from the stone-throwing of the West and the United States, and these sides are still trying to deny the truth of democracy in Syria, claiming that the elections are illegitimate and that they will not accept the results.
Washington recently took a strong stance on the Syrian presidential election, with US Deputy Assistant Secretary-General Jeffrey Delorentis announcing late last month that Joe Biden’s government would never monitor the election results in Syria. If the UN is not held, it will not accept.
“The Syrian regime is using the elections to confirm the legitimacy of President Bashar al-Assad,” he said. “The US government opposes holding non-free elections under UN supervision.” despite their claims of supporting democracy in the world, in Syria they try to repress the concept of democracy.
In parallel with the US position, the Europeans took similar positions, with France, Germany, and the European Union opposing the Syrian presidential election and its results.
The Europeans claim that without achieving a comprehensive political solution in Syria under UN supervision and international resolutions, including Resolution 2254 of 2015, on the existence of a transitional government to prepare the Syrian constitution and hold elections under UN supervision. Is opposed.
The Syrian opposition, known as the Political Opposition and backed by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, is also campaigning for a boycott of the elections.
But why are Westerners opposed to the Syrian election?
-According to the results of the Syrian presidential election in 2014, the West and the United States are almost certain that their preferred options have no chance of winning this election. Therefore, they try to prevent the successful conduct of the elections by projecting and creating noise and making excuses for not recognizing it. This shows that the opponents of the Syrian regime at home and abroad know very well that this government is approved by the people.
– During the years of war in Syria, the United States and Western countries made great efforts to form a strong opposition organization in accordance with their anti-Syrian standards inside the country; In a way, this institution has the ability to attract the Syrian public opinion and their votes, but this did not happen.
– Washington and the West are trying to buy time by carrying out their projects in Syria by creating a political vacuum.
Internal and external messages on holding the Syrian elections on time
At the domestic level, the holding of the Syrian presidential elections throughout the country shows that the Syrian regime has succeeded in establishing security and giving the right to vote to all people.
– Holding these elections on time proves that the Syrian regime does not pay attention to foreign obstacles and does not allow other countries to interfere in internal affairs.
– This election process is a clear response to the enemies and emphasizes the power of the Syrian regime and its sovereignty and free decision-making and independence.
Through the presidential election, the Syrian people intend to send a clear message to the Western and Arab sides, namely, that the Syrians have defeated terrorism and are now determined to defend their national unity and national sovereignty.
West Asian expert: The holding of safe elections in Syria shows the defeat of terrorist groups and their supporters
– At the foreign level, the most important message of the Syrian elections can be considered, Syria has become a model and symbol in the region. Most countries in the region have a patrimonial system and there is no choice for the people of this country.
– The second important message at the regional level is to show the strength of Syria and the stability of the Syrian government. Many countries in the region were trying to overthrow the Syrian regime and destroy the existing infrastructure in this country, which, although they have succeeded in destroying the infrastructure and killing the Syrian people, have not yet succeeded in overthrowing the ruling regime. Thus, although the countries opposed to Syria have not been able to overthrow the ruling regime, today Syria can become a model for other countries as a democratic system.
Given the successful performance of the Syrian regime during the war years and during the presidency of Bashar al-Assad, we see that the Arab countries, which used the green light of the West and the United States to boycott and besiege Syria, have now concluded that enmity with Damascus will not be profitable for them. This is especially evident in the shift in Saudi Arabia’s position, which was previously one of the main supporters of the overthrow of the Assad regime, towards Syria. Therefore, the conduct of the elections and the result will create a new political future for the Syrians and strengthen the foundations of stability in this country.
