On 7 May 2012, al-Laham was elected as a representative of Damascus.[2] On 24 May 2012, al-Laham was elected as Speaker of Parliament.[3] He received 225 votes out of 250.[4] His selection was one of the first acts of the new Parliament of Syria.[5] He is a member of the Ba'ath Party of Syria.[6] Upon his election as Speaker, al-Laham stated that "Syria is passing through a stage that requires every individual to exert his efforts" and that "the Assembly should be a mirror that reflects the reality of all Syrians and meet their aspirations."[7]