Hadiya Khalaf Abbas ( ar, هدیة خلف عباس, 1958 – 13 November 2021) was a Syrian politician who served as the

Speaker Speaker may refer to: Society and politics * Speaker (politics), the presiding officer in a legislative assembly * Public speaker, one who gives a speech or lecture * A person producing speech: the producer of a given utterance, especially: ** In ...

of the

People's Council of Syria The People's Assembly ( ar, مَجْلِس الشَّعْب, ) is Syria's legislative authority. It has 250 members elected for a four-year term in 15 multi-seat constituencies. There are two main political fronts; the National Progressive Fro ...

from June 2016 to July 2017. She is the only woman to have held the post.

Biography and career

Abbas was born in

Deir ez-Zor Governorate Deir ez-Zor Governorate ( ar, مُحافظة دير الزور / ALA-LC: ''Muḥāfaẓat Dayr az-Zawr'') is one of the fourteen governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is situated in eastern Syria, bordering Iraq. It has an area of 33,060 km2 ...

in 1958 and got a doctorate in agricultural engineering from the University of Aleppo. She was also professor at the Al-Furat University. After the

2016 Syrian parliamentary election Parliamentary elections were held in Syria to elect the People's Council of Syria, People's Council on 13 April 2016, electing members for the List of members of the Parliament of Syria, 2016–2020, 2016–2020 parliamentary term. Background ...

, Abbas was elected Speaker of the People's Council of Syrian in the first session of the chamber on 6 June 2016, becoming the first woman to reach this office. She won uncontested. On 20 July 2017, Syria's Parliament issued a resolution discharging Abbas from her post as Speaker, with a majority of member votes. Abbas was accused by some parliamentarians of “preventing some members from submitting their interposition and turning a blind eye to their willingness to discuss a number of articles according to the constitutional rules,” a behavior other parliamentarians described as “irresponsible and illegal.” Deputy Speaker was appointed interim speaker until the voting of Hammouda Sabbagh as Abbas' successor took place on 28 September 2017. Abbas died on 13 November 2021, at Military Hospital of Deir ez-Zor at the age of 63 after suffering a heart attack.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abbas, Hadiya Khalaf 1958 births 2021 deaths Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region politicians Speakers of the People's Assembly of Syria Women legislative speakers People from Deir ez-Zor Governorate 21st-century Syrian women politicians 21st-century Syrian politicians