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After the fall of the Assad regime and exile of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, a Syrian transitional government was installed in Damascus by the Syrian opposition. On 8 December 2024, hours after the opposition victory, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, the outgoing prime minister of Syria, agreed to lead the transitional government in a caretaker capacity.[1] He transferred power to Mohammed al-Bashir, prime minister of the Syrian Salvation Government, the next day.[2] On 10 December, the transitional administration announced that it will last until 1 March 2025, with all ministers from the Syrian Salvation Government taking up their same posts in the new transitional government.[3]
| Syrian transitional government | |
|---|---|
.svg) De facto coat of arms of Syria | |
| Overview | |
| Established | 8 December 2024 |
| State | Syria |
| Leader | President: Vacant Prime Minister: Mohammed al-Bashir |
| Ministries | Government ministries of Syria |
| Headquarters | Damascus |
| Website | https://www.pministry.gov.sy/ |
Formation
Abu Mohammad al-Julani, leader of the Syrian Salvation Government, stated on Telegram that Syrian public institutions would not immediately be taken over by force, and would instead temporarily be held by Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali until the full political transition was completed. Al-Jalali announced in a social media video that he planned to stay in Damascus and cooperate with the Syrian people, while expressing hope that Syria could become "a normal country" and begin to engage in diplomacy with other nations.[4][5] Jalali also expressed his readiness to "extend its hand" to the opposition.[6]
Hadi al-Bahra, president of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, said that an 18-month transitional period was needed to establish "a safe, neutral, and quiet environment" for free elections. This period includes six months to draft a new constitution. This transition, according to al-Bahra, should be in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.[7]
The Prime Minister of the Syrian Salvation Government, Mohammed Al-Bashir, was tasked on 9 December with forming the new Syrian government during the transitional period.[2] He will hold this position until 1 March 2025.[8] The ministers of the Salvation Government will continue their duties in the transitional government.[9]
Policies
Economic reforms
Minister for the Economy Basil Abdul Aziz stated that there were plans to shift from a more state-controlled economic model towards a stronger free-market model, with a liberalisation of import-export controls. Registration with the Damascus Chambers of Commerce would be considered sufficient authorisation to import goods and the previously required approvals and permissions from the Central Bank of Syria would no longer be needed. Business leaders interviewed by Reuters described the promised changes as encouraging. The government stated that reconstruction investment was to be a priority, with civil war damage estimated in the tens of billions of dollars.[10] A source from the central bank and two commercial bank sources, speaking with Reuters, said that on 10 December banks would reopen and that staff had been asked to return. The Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources told employes to return to work the same day, with Deutsche Welle stating that the ministry had added "protection would be provided to ensure their safety".[11]
Administrative reforms
The transitional government began implementing administrative reforms immediately after taking control of Damascus. Mohammad Yasser Ghazal, a technocrat from the Syrian Salvation Government, was appointed to oversee the restructuring of the Damascus governorate, with plans to serve as city council president. The new administration began reviewing departmental functions and addressing issues of bureaucratic inefficiency inherited from the previous government.[12]
Initial reforms focused on streamlining government services and addressing corruption. The transitional authorities found numerous inefficient departments and positions, including redundant administrative divisions. The new government emphasized digitization of services, citing the example of ID processing which they had already implemented in Idlib. They also began addressing issues of phantom jobs and systemic corruption that had developed under the previous administration, where government employees had been receiving approximately $25 per month in salary;[12] which are to be increased to SSG government minimum wages of $100.[13]
The administrative transition included meetings between outgoing department heads and new officials to understand and reform existing bureaucratic structures. Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir convened meetings between SSG ministers and former regime officials to facilitate the transfer of power to the new caretaker government.[12] The transitional government includes numerous senior officials from Idlib governorate, which Reuters says raised concerns over inclusiveness. Policemen from Idlib were brought to Damascus to direct traffic.[12]
Members
This section needs additional citations for verification. (December 2024) |
See also
Notes
References
- ^ "Syrian prime minister says government is still functioning but foreign and domestic challenges loom". WHNT.com. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- ^ a b c "Mohammed al-Bashir assigned to form new Syrian government". Ammon News. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Mohammed al-Bashir officially the head of the transitional government in Syria until March 2025". Independent Arabia. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Syria latest: 'The future is ours,' says rebel leader after Assad flees Damascus". BBC News. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ "Opposition forces impose curfew in Syrian capital Damascus". bne IntelliNews. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ Michaelson, Ruth. "Bashar al-Assad reported to have fled Syria as rebels say they have captured Damascus claim". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ "Syrian opposition leader says state institutions will be preserved in 18-month transition". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ "Mohamed al-Bashir appointed caretaker Syrian PM for transitional government until March". Reuters. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "الحكومة السورية الانتقالية برئاسة البشير تتسلم مقاليد السلطة في دمشق". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ a b Timour Azhari (10 December 2024), Exclusive: Syria's new rulers back shift to free-market economy, business leader says, Reuters, Wikidata Q131421935, archived from the original on 10 December 2024
- ^ "What's next for Syria's devastated economy? – DW – 12/10/2024". dw.com. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d Jalabi, Raya; Dadouch, Sarah (11 December 2024). "The department of flags: Syrian rebels lay bare Assad's corrupt state". Financial Times. Damascus. Archived from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Azhari, Timour; Gebeily, Maya; Perry, Tom (12 December 2024). "Syrian rebel leader, after Assad's ouster, puts his own stamp on the state". Reuters.