Syrians vote for their next parliament, which may pave the way for Assad to extend his rule

Syrians are voting for members of a new parliament in an election that is expected to hold few surprises. The outcome could pave the way for a constitutional amendment to extend the term of President Bashar Assad, whose term would end in 2028 under the current term limits. Monday's vote is the fourth in Syria since mass anti-government protests and a brutal crackdown by security forces spiraled into an ongoing civil war in 2011 and comes as an economic crisis grips the country, fueling demonstrations in the south. Syrians who've left their country due to the war are not eligible to vote in parliamentary elections.