Assad Likely to Win Syrian Presidential Elections

The Syrians have already started to vote on Tuesday in the first elections in 50 years with more than one candidate. Voting takes place in areas under the control of the regime of Bashar al-Assad, in power since 2000, except in Al Raga (north of the country), region in the hands of the radical group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Both the president and his wife, Asmaa, have already voted Martyr School Muasiri Naim, in the district of Al Malaki in Damascus. So have the Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Mualem, and the speaker of parliament, Mohamed al Laham and presidential candidates Maher Abdel Hafez Hajar, communist, and former Minister Hasan Abdullah al- Nuri, both opponents of Syrian president.

In central Damascus difficult to look away from an image of President Bashar al-Assad immediately without falling over another of the thousands who represent everywhere in attitudes and different clothes. In the months before the presidential, the core of the Syrian capital has become an almost peaceful haven in the civil war that ravaged the country since 2011. Two years ago, the insurgent militia surrounded the city almost to take it. The fighting left an impression on some downtown streets, now papered presidential propaganda. Assad and his army rebels have succeeded in reducing bags to the periphery apace punished by their artillery. The tide is changing in the Syrian war, and Assad, which controls about two -fifths of the country holding the election to issue a message of normalcy to their Western critics.

In the district of Bab Tuma, the door which gives its name shows signs of Assad in martial attitude. Inside, two large signs with yellow and green symbols Shiite militia Hezbollah certify that the president is not isolated in the world. Assad has also had unwavering support from Iran and Russia since the conflict began. The insurgents, now divided into warring factions enjoyed at the beginning of a Western sympathies just materialized in blunt military aid. The thousands of combat veterans and military experts from Lebanon Hezbollah came from 2013 have been, however, a crucial contribution to the change in sign war.

Bassam Abu Abdullah, a member of the Baath party and political scientist majority, on election eve lamented what he calls “hypocrisy” of the Western powers that branded a ” sham ” or “democratic parody ” these elections. In the lobby of a luxury hotel in the capital protected by the army, Abu Abdullah denied this week that the civil war began in Syria itself. Create as many between supporters of Assad, the insurgents are ” terrorists come out” to a battle of international geopolitical conflict.

It is a widely held view in Damascus that his army defends in front civilizing achievements of antebellum Syria: an established middle class, good relations between religious groups. The many Islamic and laity of various Christian denominations in Syria backbone renewed domestic support for Assad. People, Abu Abdullah said, “is sick of blood, too tired to kill the military, it’s not funny.” Estimated that the war is about to be decided.

The Straight Road to Damascus, Abu George lamented Monday at his small bar how tourism has sunk and how the war reduced the number of their clientele clients: ” no work and people can not afford to drink ” alcohol. A poster of Assad with gray uniforms and insignia of commander guarding the entrance to the premises with a promise of victory. The street ends with another of the city gates, Bab Sharki, from which looked at three in the afternoon, a column of black smoke not far away, a soldier casually attributed to a rebel mortar projectile, dropped 15 minutes before.

Presidential mandates in Syria last seven years. Assad received support from nearly 100 % in the two plebiscites to those introduced since the death of his father and predecessor, Hafez, in 2000. Compliance electoral term contributes to the impression of normality that is issued the regime. But in addition to the race line, the Syrian elections have the novelty of two alternative candidates. One is the communist Maher Hajar, who has lavished very little in the campaign and who just looks electoral propaganda. The other is the former Minister Hassan al- Nuri, who claims to have entered the campaign ” conviction ” and ” ready to win.”

Al Nuri speaks good English with American accent, where he lived as a student. His opponent Assad, admitted on Sunday in a hotel suite, “is a strong candidate, unbeatable right now.” The political and strategic positions, this independent candidate are, he said, “identical, 100%, to the government.” Only at the beginning of the pre- escalation protests that led to war in 2011, explained Al Nuri, he would have ” acted differently ” to that of Assad. It would have taken more tough on the leaders. The candidate acknowledged that “to a sister” his had not yet decided whether to vote for Assad. While recognizing the sees himself in the next government of Assad, the alternative candidate said triumphantly: ” In seven years, I will win.” Meanwhile, in Damascus echoed a particularly long series of barrages.

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Posted by Khalil Khan on Jun 3 2014. Filed under Middle East. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.