![A Syrian woman casts her ballot at a polling station in the Nubl neighbourhood of Aleppo on July 19, 2020, during the parliamentary elections. Syrians vote today to elect a new parliament as the Damascus government grapples with international sanctions and a crumbling economy after retaking large parts of the war-torn country. / AFP / -](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D4S73PDF5BY6BYT5JP6BBFCTRM.jpg?smart=true&auth=4b6aa1735d94d0bd78a1f869a6f219d43741b08affbca4b37bdcb02e5c711351&width=400&height=225)
A Syrian woman casts her ballot at a polling station in the Nubl neighbourhood of Aleppo on July 19. AFP
A Syrian woman casts her ballot at a polling station in the Nubl neighbourhood of Aleppo on July 19. AFP
Syria's parliamentary election was meant to project normality but it was a sham
Nothing is normal in Syria and Bashar Al Assad's international backers are the reason he remains in power