Syrian parliament set May 27 presidency referendum

Syria’s Parliament today set May 27 as the date for a nationwide referendum on re-electing President Bashar Assad for another seven-year term in office, a vote he is sure to win.

Syria’s state-run news agency said the 250-member legislature unanimously endorsed the ruling Baath Party’s nomination of Mr Assad, its leader, for a second term – a formality, given the Baath Party’s domination of the rubber stamp legislature.