Syria held its first parliamentary elections, marking the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Ex-Al-Qaeda member and Syria's new President Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed some members who were not elected by the public. While the vote was not open to the public, 7,000 selected electors, including teachers and business leaders, chose 140 members of the 210-seat People’s Assembly. The process has drawn both criticism and cautious optimism. Critics call it a managed exercise with no political parties, limited campaigning, and restricted voting. But supporters say it's a start — a move away from one-man rule. Al-Sharaa promises reform and reconciliation, but questions remain about his militant past and the real balance of power. For war-weary Syrians, the vote may be imperfect, but it signals the first step toward a fragile new future.