President of Syria

President of the Syrian Arab Republic
Standard of the President
Incumbent Bashar al-Assad since 17 July 2000
Residence	Teshreen Palace, Damascus
Term length	Seven years, renewable indefinitely
Inaugural holder	Shukri al-Quwatli
Formation	17 April 1946

The President of Syria is the head of state of the Syrian Arab Republic. He is vested with sweeping powers that may be delegated, at his sole discretion, to his Vice Presidents. He appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister and other members of the Council of Ministers (the cabinet) and military officers.

Selection process

Eligibility

The Constitution of Syria also restricts the period during which a person can hold office as President to two consecutive terms. The conditions required to be candidate at the presidential election are the following:

1. A candidate must be an Alawi Muslim
2. A candidate must have the support of 35 members of the parliament
3. A candidate must be 34 years old or more
4. A candidate must have lived in Syria for 10 years before the election
5. A candidate must be Syrian by birth, of parents who are Syrians by birth
6. A candidate must not be married to a non-Syrian spouse

Powers

Apart from executive authority relating to a wide range of governmental functions including foreign affairs, the president has the right to dissolve the People's Council, in which case a new council must be elected within ninety days from the date of dissolution.

The president is also the leader of the Ba'ath Party, and as such has near-absolute control over the political life of the country.

List of Presidents

Main article: List of Presidents of Syria

Latest election

Main article: Syrian presidential election, 2007