Syrian constitutional referendum, 2012

On 26 February 2012, a referendum on a new constitution was held in Syria. The proposed constitutional changes, which provide, inter alia, the introduction of a multiparty system, were developed in response to the ongoing since spring 2011 protests in Syria. President Bashar al -Assad had used this in October 2011 a committee.

Entitled to vote on the referendum were 14.6 million Syrians, however, the opposition had called for a boycott of the vote. The new Constitution was insufficient, as the reigning since 2000, Assad continues to be " full privileges " were granted.

Background

In the course of the so-called Arab Spring came early in 2011 for demonstrations in Syria. The demonstrators called for political participation and the overthrow of the government. The government took action against the protests with violence. Since then, both sides fight by force of arms. On July 25, the Syrian government approved a draft law that allows the formation of political parties. Parties would respect the Constitution and should not represent individual religions or ethnic groups. Opposition rejected the bill because political freedom is not guaranteed and demonstrators were being pursued by security forces. The draft law was not yet in force.

President Bashar al -Assad began on 15 October a committee to draft a new constitution. The committee had this 4 months. Prior to the introduction of a multiparty system had been promised.

In February 2012, Assad scheduled the referendum on 26 February. The opposition announced that the referendum is not in the least correspond to their demands because the president's power will not be affected. They called for a boycott of the vote. Jay Carney, the White House spokesman, said the referendum makes a mockery of the Syrian Revolution and was ridiculous. The German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle spoke of a " further move " of the regime.

Existing Constitution

Syria is formally under the Constitution of 1973, a socialist People's Republic with a presidential system. However, it has de facto one-party system, the Syrian Baath Party has held according to the Constitution the executive positions within the state and society. Formally, it is in a coalition with smaller block parties. In practice, the Syrian government has features of a dictatorship.

The legal basis of the Constitution is, according to Article 3 of the Sharia as the main source of legislation. The applicable matrimonial and family law determined in Syria according to religious affiliation. On Muslims Sharia is applicable. For Catholic Christians of the Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium shall prevail.

Head of State, the holder of the executive power and commander in chief of the armed forces is equipped with expansive powers to President, who is nominated according to the Constitution by the Parliament and is directly elected for seven years. It determines the guidelines of the policy, appoints and dismisses the government under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister and has the right of initiative as well as veto. The President must also be of the Muslim faith.

Legislative power is nominally the Syrian People's Council (Arabic مجلس الشعب, DMG maǧlis aš - ša ʿ b ), whose 250 members are elected for four years. The current Unity Party is the Baath Party. The Secretary-General of the Baath Party is also the President. Besides there are smaller and insignificant, mostly pro-government parties such as the Syrian Communist Party and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, which are joined together as a block parties with the Baath Party for National Front coalition. Parties who represent an ethnic minority or a religious group are prohibited.

Content of the new constitution

In the new constitution, all covers have been deleted to socialism and the period specified in Article 8 of the present Constitution leadership of the Baath Party. The Syrian president must continue to be a Muslim. Furthermore, he must be born Syrians have been born in the country and may only be married to a Syrian woman. The minimum age at the election must be 40 years. The term of office of the President is located in the new constitution in seven years, and he may be re-elected only once. The latter counts but only after the current term of office of Assad. Can not run only those who have the support of at least 35 members of the comprehensive 250 seats Parliament. Parties may not exist at regional, religious or ethnic lines continues. Within 90 days after the referendum of the People's Council is to be elected.

Outcome of the referendum

On 27 February 2012 the Syrian Interior Ministry released the official result of the vote. The results showed that 89.4 % of the new Constitution have voted, the turnout was 57.4 %. Since no foreign election observers were present in the referendum, the result could not be confirmed by independent sources. The constitution came after the announcement of the result immediately in force.

Swell

Presidential elections: 1949 | 1953 | 1971 | 1978 | 1985 | 1991 | 1999 | 2000 | 2007

Parliament elections: 1919 | 1928 | 1931 | 1932 | 1936 | 1943 | 1947 | 1949 | 1953 | 1954 | 1957 | 1961 | 1973 | 1981 | 1986 | 1990 | 1994 | 1998 | 2003 | 2007 | 2012

Referendums: 1949 | 1953 | 1958 | 1961 1971 | 1973 | 2012

• Election 2012
• Choice in Syria