Introduction
The Constitutional Declaration ratified on 13 March 2025 represents a significant development in the political transition in Syria. Coming after the overthrow of the regime of Bashar al-Assad, it marks a new phase in the country’s modern history. The collapse of the old constitutional order made apparent the urgent need for an interim constitutional text that would reflect the profound political shift that had taken place, establish a framework to regulate the relationship between government authorities, guarantee public rights and freedoms, chart a roadmap for stability, and lay the groundwork for the drafting of a permanent constitution that embodies the aspirations of the Syrian people.
The declaration functions as the supreme legal authority governing the transitional phase, making a clean break with the dictatorship and old political system. Despite its importance, however, the text raises legal and political issues that require critical review to ensure it meets the requirements of the transitional phase, avoids the risk of reproducing tyranny in new forms, and respects constitutional principles and norms.
This paper analyses the structure of the declaration and evaluates its contents, taking into account the political context of the drafting process and comparative constitutional principles. The aim is to offer practical, actionable recommendations that support the democratic transition and enhance its chances of success. The ratification of this declaration is a step in the right direction, but it does not obviate the need to address its shortcomings in the coming phase. This requires a balanced approach and an objective reading that reinforces the positive aspects of the text while working to correct flaws and shortcomings in a manner that serves the interests of all Syrians, thus laying a sound foundation for the modern Syrian state.
