Palestinians Prepare for First Election in 20 Years

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to officially announce later this month that parliamentary elections will be held on 28 November. According to the Jerusalem Post, the announcement was confirmed by Samer Sinijlawi, head of the Palestinian political movement New Way.

If the vote goes ahead, it will be the first Palestinian legislative election in more than 20 years. Since January 10, 2009, Abbas has exercised the powers of his office without democratic legitimacy, following the expiration of his elected term. Sinijlawi described the elections as a key opportunity for the emergence of new political leadership after years of political stagnation, following sustained pressure from advocates of greater democratic reform.

The expected announcement follows a decree issued by Abbas in mid-June calling for parliamentary elections in November 2026 and presidential elections in early 2027. However, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, which reported on the decree, did not say whether the 91-year-old Abbas intends to seek another term as president.

(max)