Abu Mazen Postpones Palestinian Elections Until 2027, Faces Fierce Criticism
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen has postponed legislative elections, originally set for November 2026, to September 2027, consolidating them with presidential elections. The decision, citing logistical and political challenges, was criticized by former official Mohammed Dahlan as a "blatant crime." The move is seen as an attempt by Fatah to avoid electoral defeat, particularly against a potential joint list with Hamas, which Dahlan had been working to form.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen postponed legislative elections until September 2027.
- The delayed elections will be consolidated with presidential elections on a single voting day.
- The decision follows internal consultations citing logistical, security, and political challenges.
- Former official Mohammed Dahlan called the postponement a "blatant crime" and illegitimate rule.
- The move is seen as a strategy to prevent Fatah from losing to a potential Hamas-Dahlan alliance.
- The last PA parliamentary elections were held in 2006.
Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen has officially postponed legislative elections, originally scheduled for November 28, 2026. A presidential decree announced the delay, consolidating the legislative elections with presidential elections on a single voting day, September 11, 2027. According to the Palestinian Wafa News Agency, the decision followed internal consultations and was attributed to complex logistical, security, and political challenges in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip. This marks another in a long series of election postponements for the Palestinian Authority; the last parliamentary elections were held in 2006, and Abu Mazen's presidential term officially ended administratively in 2009.
The postponement comes amid fears in Ramallah of a joint electoral list formed by supporters of Mohammed Dahlan and Hamas. Dahlan, a former senior PA official residing in the UAE, launched an unprecedentedly sharp attack on the decree, calling it a "blatant crime against the Palestinian people" and the perpetuation of illegitimate rule. Analysts suggest Abu Mazen's decision stems from significant concerns within the Ramallah political system about a potential loss for the Fatah movement.
Dahlan had been working to establish a joint list with Hamas-affiliated elements, a move expected to directly threaten the current leadership's hold on power. In his strong condemnation, Dahlan accused Abu Mazen and his associates of managing state institutions as a private domain, silencing the public's will, and engaging in widespread corruption. He further claimed the PA leadership is misleading the international community, citing false promises made to figures like French President Emmanuel Macron. Dahlan stated his intention to broaden internal dialogue and create a popular and international pressure front against the Ramallah leadership.
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