Syria · Government
Government and administration in Syria
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Transitional head of state — Interim President
- Assumed office under the 2025 constitutional declaration.
- Executive — Transitional government
- Appointed; ministries continue to operate the existing statutory regimes.
- Legislative — Interim legislative body
- Appointed under the transitional declaration pending elections.
- Judicial — Higher Judicial Council
- Administers the judiciary; membership under reconstitution.
- Constitutional drafting — Constitutional drafting committee
- Charged with preparing a permanent constitution.
How legislation is made
Under the transitional declaration, legislation is issued by the interim authorities pending the election of a permanent legislature, and published in the Official Gazette. Before 2024, laws passed the People's Assembly and were promulgated by the President, who also legislated extensively by decree between sessions. Practitioners should verify the current status of any instrument, since repeals and suspensions are ongoing.
Enforcement institutions
- Internal Security Forces
- Police functions under the Ministry of Interior; under reorganisation.
- Public Prosecution
- Attached to the courts; directs investigation.
- Ministry of Justice
- Court administration, notaries and the personal status registry.
- General Directorate of Cadastral Affairs
- Land registration; wartime displacement has left large title problems.
- Central Bank of Syria
- Banking supervision and exchange control.
Government bodies and regulators
Found something out of date on Syria · Government?
Corrections are reviewed against the primary source before anything changes.