Mahmoud Merhi, a member of the so-called "tolerated opposition", serious contenders." Unsuccessful candidates Candidates reported to have put themselves forward included: Jamal Suliman, actor and Syria's Tomorrow Movement candidate Mohamad Muafaq Sawan, leader of the Democratic Unionist Reform Party (Damascus) Faten Ali Nahar, 50-year old independent lawyer (Quneitra) Mohamad Firas Yassin Rajouh, engineer, activist, and a businessman, independent (Damascus) Mohamad Nadim Sha'ban, independent (Damascus) Campaign On 15 May, Mahmoud Ahmed Marei launched his campaign with the main goals: 1. "Together to release prisoners of conscience", 2. "Together for a participatory Government of National Unity with a real representation of the Opposition"'. At the same time, his pre-election page on Facebook and other social networks was launched. His pre-election spot was broadcast on Sama TV, Syria TV and Syrian News Channel. On 16 May, the candidate gave an hour-long interviews to Syria TV, Syrian News Channel and Sama TV. He also gave an interview to Al-Watan newspaper. According to the Daily Sabah, Marei described his campaign as modest, as it had no financial support apart from his own resources and that of internal opposition parties. On 15 May, the Al-Assad's campaign was launched with the slogan: "Hope is with work". His other main motto is: Together we challenge. The campaign has its pages on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, Instagram and others. Like other campaigns, this one has its spots on Sama TV, Syria TV and the Syrian News Channel. On 15 May, Abdullah Sallum Abdullah's campaign with slogans: 1. '"Our strength in our unity" 2."Strengthening the role of the NPF and reactivating the role of the parties affiliated with it", was launched with a campaign page on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks. The candidate's pre-election spots were also broadcast on Sama TV, Syria TV and Syrian News Channel. He promised to combat corruption. On 17 May, he gave an interview on the Syrian News Channel in which called on all the Syrians to nationally unite to confront any problem or danger that threaten their country. He further reminded that it is necessary to enable and subsequently implement the return of all refugees back to the republic and to have suitable conditions for living in the country. Then noted the need to end the war, the occupation of the USA, Turkey and Israel. And finally he promised to protect national interests, economic development and the fight against corruption. On 16 May, an