The People’s Council of Syria (National Assembly) announced that it received seven candidacy applications for president of the Republic.

They are, by order of registration:

– Maher Abdel Hafiz Hajjar (Communist MP, Aleppo)
– Hassan al-Nouri (former Minister of State for Administrative Development Affairs from 2000-2002.)
– Ms. Haddad Sawssan (engineer based in Latakia)
– Samir Moalla (Professor of International Law in Quneitra)
– Mohammad Firas Rajjouh,
– Abdel Salam Salameh
– Bashar al-Assad (outgoing President)

Then, on 28 April, the 204 MPs began the voting process to validate the applications. According to the Electoral Code, the applicants must receive the backing of 35 MPs in order to be accepted as candidates. The process will continue until May 1.