Syria under new leadership: government speech promises change!

Syria under new leadership: government speech promises change!

On March 30, 2025, Syria formed a new government under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which aims to continue the country's restructuring after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Al-Sharaa unveiled a cabinet of 22 ministers aimed at rebuilding state institutions based on “accountability and transparency.” The move comes after Assad was overthrown by a rebel alliance that seized control of Damascus and dissolved the old parliament and the Baath Party while suspending the 2012 constitution. Al-Assad himself fled to Russia.

The new government of al-Sharaa is made up of key members of the previous interim government. Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra remain in their posts. New to the cabinet are Anas Khattab, who has been appointed interior minister, and Hind Kabawat, a Christian and former opposition figure, who is serving as minister of social affairs and labor. This appointment is a historic moment as she represents the first female minister in the new Syrian government. In addition, Raed Saleh, former head of the White Helmets, was appointed Minister of Civil Protection.

Structure and goals of the new government

With his new government, Al-Sharaa emphasizes the building of a “strong and stable state”. The interim government is acting under pressure from Western and Arab states, which are demanding a representative government. However, the cabinet will be run without an official prime minister, while al-Sharaa is expected to control the cabinet's fortunes. At the end of January 2025, al-Sharaa was appointed interim president, and in mid-March he signed a constitutional declaration establishing a five-year transition period.

The new constitution is intended to guarantee separation of powers, women's rights as well as freedom of the press and freedom of expression, while at the same time maintaining Islamic law as the central basis for the legal system. Critics, particularly from the Kurdish minorities and among the Alawites, express concerns about the desired centralized form of government and fear persecution.

Outlook for future development

The political situation in Syria remains tense. After the five-year transition period underlined by the new constitution, elections are to be held that seek to democratically legitimize the government. However, Middle East experts are watching the course of interim President al-Sharaa with skepticism, as there are numerous challenges in the country. The stability and enforcement of the new constitution will be crucial to whether Syria can steer towards a peaceful future or whether tensions and conflicts will flare up again.

At a time when the international community is turning its attention to Syria, the re-formation of a government is a crucial step in a long-running conflict. The coming months will show how the new government under al-Sharaa overcomes the multitude of challenges that lie before it. Eyes remain on the implementation of the promised reforms, which will ultimately determine stability and peace in the country.

The information about the new Syrian government comes from various sources, including Vienna.at, Welt.de and Zeit.de.