The Syrian parliament approved a new law on Thursday, making it possible for multiple candidates to run for president, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.
President Bashar al-Assad's seven year term is set to expire in four months, at which point new elections will be held. Assad has hinted that he would run again, though he has yet to confirm his intentions publicly.
The new law passed unanimously by parliment paves the way for potential presidential contenders aside from Assad.
The bill approved by parliment includes several restrictions on who is eligible to run for president. According to the new law, a candidate needs to have lived in Syria for 10 consecutive years prior to running and must have been born to Syrian parents, AP reported.
