89% Syrians voted for new constitution
On the eve of the EU imposed sanctions against Syria: froze the accounts of 7 Syrian ministers, blocked operations with the Central Bank of Syria. EU politicians did not consider the fact that Damascus held a plebiscite under a more liberal Constitution - and even the fact that the draft Constitution was approved by a majority of votes.89% of Syrians said the Constitution "yes", all 9% were against, the rest of the ballots were considered invalid. The turnout was 57%. According to the official representative of the Ministry of the Interior of Syria, this is a good indicator. The referendum was declared valid, despite the attempts of the militants to disrupt it. In accordance with the new law, for the first time, members of the Baath party, but representatives of the judicial system, observed the vote count for the first time. And they did not reveal serious violations.
Syrian Interior Minister Mohammed Shaar said: “The turnout is fifty-seven percent ... that's enough! And even good! The referendum showed the mood of the people. Now we have a law on the basis of which the course of reforms can be continued. The vote showed that Syrians choose freedom and development. ”
Syria, according to the new constitution, is a democratic state. A multiparty system has been introduced. And any of the parties, if it is not created on an ethnic or religious basis, can participate in elections. Parliamentary elections should be held three months after the adoption of the new main law of the country. The article 8, which consolidated the leadership role of the Baath Party of the Arab Socialist Revival, has been canceled. Article 23-I guarantees women the right to participate in the political and social life of Syria. However, it should be noted that women already participated in it. Many Syrian women drive cars, which distinguishes Syria from other countries of the Persian Gulf. In addition, there are three women ministers in the country, not to mention the multitude of business women.
The new fundamental law of the country allowed the freedom of expression. Allowed and go to peaceful protests. The president can now be elected for 7 years and can hold a presidential position for no more than 2 terms in a row.
The main thing that the Syrians, who voted “against” did not agree with, is the president’s religion - Islam. Part of the opposition from the Christians decided this violation of their rights: after all, they can not be elected to the presidency. Someone did not like the article on the separation of power branches. However, in general, experts note, the adoption of the Constitution is a big step for the country, although not the first among the stages of the reforms being carried out.
They started talking about transformations in the country at the beginning of the unrest - in March 2011. And the transformations followed: separate laws were passed on the media, on the multi-party system, on elections, and finally, on compulsory secondary education. Now a new step - the adoption of the constitution. The external opposition (by the way, who refused to participate in the drafting of the law) made statements about boycotting the referendum and called on its military wing, the militants of the so-called Free Syrian Army, to disrupt the vote.
Indeed, in some districts of Idlib and Homs, people were not allowed on the plots. Burned ballots. At night, gunmen shelled a church and set fire to the building of the Ba'ath Party. Around 300, the rebels were surrounded and destroyed (after their refusal to surrender). According to sources in the command of the Syrian army, thirty officers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey were arrested in Idlib, including eighteen Libyans, including one of the main rebel field commanders who fought against Muammar Gaddafi, Abdel Hakim bel Haj. However, while representatives in the Syrian Defense Ministry do not comment on this information.
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