Date announced for presidential elections in Syria

The speaker of Syria's parliament on Sunday announced that the next presidential elections will be held in late May.

Speaking at an exceptional meeting of parliament, Hammouda Sabbagh said that elections will take place on 26 May 2021.

He also said that, starting Monday, anyone who wishes to run for president can present their nomination to the Constitutional High Court.

Voting would start on May 26th for residents inside Syria and on May 20th for those voting from abroad, according to parliament.

The election is widely expected to give President Bashar Assad a fourth seven-year term.

It is unclear whether any candidates will run against him but any such runs will be symbolic.