National Progressive Front (Syria)
The National Progressive Front (Arabic: الجبهة الوطنية التقدمية, al-Jabha al-Waṭaniyyah at-Taqaddumiyyah, NPF) is a political alliance of parties in Syria that supports the anti-imperialist and Arab nationalist orientation of the government and accepts the "leading role in society" of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party, the largest party in the NPF.
National Progressive Front الجبهة الوطنية التقدمية | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President | Bashar al-Assad |
| Vice-President | Mohammad al-Shaar[1] |
| Founder | Hafez al-Assad |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Damascus |
| Ideology | Pro-Syrian government Arab nationalism Arab socialism Pan-Arabism Secularism Anti-imperialism |
| Political position | Factions: Left-wing to far-left |
| People's Council | 200 / 250
|
| Council of Ministers | 20 / 35 |
| Website | |
| pnf | |
History
The Front was established in 1972 by Syrian president Hafez al-Assad to provide for a limited degree of participation in government by political parties other than the ruling Ba'ath Party.[2] Its constitution provides that the Ba'ath Party controls 50% plus one of the votes on its executive committee. A number of seats in the People's Council of Syria are reserved for members of NPF parties other than the Ba'ath Party. These minor parties are legally required to accept the leadership of the Ba'ath Party. The non-Ba'athist parties in the Progressive Front, for example, are not allowed to canvass for supporters in the army or the student body which are "reserved exclusively for the Ba'ath."[3]
From 1972 to 2011, only parties participating in the NPF had been legally permitted to operate in Syria. The Legislative Decree on Parties law of 2011,[4] Legislative Decree on General Elections Law of 2011[5] and the new Syrian constitution of 2012[6] introduced multi-party system in Syria.
After previously being a part of NPF, Syrian Social Nationalist Party joined the opposition, Popular Front for Change and Liberation, for the May 2012 election to the parliament. However, the SSNP supported the re-election of Bashar al-Assad in the June 2014 presidential election and subsequently rejoined the front.[7]
Constituent parties
The NPF is currently composed of the following political parties:
Electoral history
Syrian People's Council elections
| Election | Seats | +/– | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 186 / 186 |
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| 1977 | 195 / 195 |
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| 1981 | 195 / 195 |
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| 1986 | 195 / 195 |
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| 1990 | 250 / 250 |
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| 1994 | 250 / 250 |
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| 1998 | 250 / 250 |
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| 2003 | 250 / 250 |
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| 2007 | 250 / 250 |
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| 2012 | 168 / 250 |
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| 2016 | 200 / 250 |
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| 2020 | 177 / 250 |
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See also
References
- phpline@gmail.com - 00963 933 878 476, Mohannad Orfali-. "الجبهة الوطنية التقدمية". pnf.org.sy.
- Elizabeth O'Bagy (7 June 2012). "Syria's Political Struggle: Spring 2012" (Backgrounder). ISW. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- Seale, Patrick, Asad, the Struggle for the Middle East, University of California Press, 1989, p. 176
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-08-05. Retrieved 2013-07-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-08-05. Retrieved 2013-07-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "SANA Syrian News Agency - Constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic Approved in Popular Referendum on February 27, 2012, Article 8". Archived from the original on October 14, 2012.
- "SSNP Supports Bashar al-Assad's Presidential Nomination". 7 May 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- phpline@gmail.com - 00963 933 878 476, Mohannad Orfali-. "الجبهة الوطنية التقدمية". pnf.org.sy.
- phpline@gmail.com - 00963 933 878 476, Mohannad Orfali-. "حزب الوحدويين الاشتراكيين". pnf.org.sy.
- Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad. "Quwat Muqatili al-Asha'ir: Tribal Auxiliary Forces of the Military Intelligence". Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-09-06. Retrieved 2019-08-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
