 Syria's President Bashar al-Assad talks to reporters after voting in Douma, near Damascus on May 26, 2021. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
The Syrian parliament announced the election results last Thursday—that Assad had won a landslide victory with 95% of the vote. Despite security instability and the COVID-19 pandemic, 14.2 million people voted, a 77% turnout. Both the turnout and the vote total for Assad were significantly higher than in the 2014 presidential election.
Analysts say that while Syria is struggling with territorial divisions, sectarian disagreements, the COVID-19 pandemic, regional complications, and external interference, broad public support for President Assad will be an advantage to him in his 4th tenure.
Advantages
Analysts say Assad’s re-election is mostly due to the government’s success on the battlefield. By reinforcing its military power to conquer rebel, terrorist, and extremist groups, the government has regained public trust and consensus.
The Assad government has the support of several allies and partners, particularly Russia. Last Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to President Assad on his re-election, saying the poll results show the Syrian people’s trust in him. The Russian Foreign Ministry called Assad’s win a decisive victory and an important step toward stabilizing war-torn Syria.
One day before the election, the Russian military deployed three nuclear-capable long-range bombers to its base in Hmeimim in the western SSyria. The deployment of strategic weapons is seen as Russia’s support for the Syrian government.
China has also affirmed its support for Syria. At a press conference in Beijing last Friday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said China and Syria are traditional good friends and China consistently supports Syria in protecting its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Challenges
Analysts say support from Syria’s people, allies, and partners provide a foundation for Assad to carry out his election slogan “Hope through Work”. He aims to work to rebuild Syria, which has been devastated by years of conflict and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
It will be a long and difficult road to rebuild Syria. The overarching challenge is to restore territorial integrity and the country’s infrastructure. The northwestern and northeastern regions of Syria are occupied by armed rebels and jihadists. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with about 100,000 Kurdish fighters control 25% of Syria’s territory and 80% of its resources. In addition to the Russian forces supporting the Syrian government, there are forces from many other countries in Syria pursuing conflicting goals, including 12,000 Turkish soldiers in the northwest and 900 American soldiers.