Syrians vote for their next parliament, which may pave the way for Assad to extend his rule

Associated Press

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrians have voted for members of a new parliament in an election that was expected to hold few surprises. The outcome could pave the way for a constitutional amendment to extend the term of President Bashar Assad, whose term would end in 2028 under the current term limits. Monday’s vote was the fourth in Syria since mass anti-government protests and a brutal crackdown by security forces spiraled into an ongoing civil war in 2011 and comes as an economic crisis grips the country, fueling demonstrations in the south. Northwest and northeast regions of the country were excluded from the vote, and members of the diaspora are not eligible. Results were not immediately announced.