France Condemns Palestinian Election Postponement by Abbas
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
France has strongly condemned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's decision to postpone legislative elections, scheduled for November 2026, until September 2027. Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called the move "the worst possible service" to the Palestinian people. France, along with European partners, has offered to support the electoral process. Paris views democratic renewal as essential for the two-state solution and for Palestinian leaders to legitimately represent their people.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- France's Jean-Noël Barrot criticized Mahmoud Abbas's postponement of Palestinian elections.
- Palestinian legislative elections are now set for September 11, 2027.
- The postponement marks twenty years since the last legislative elections.
- France urged Palestinian authorities to hold elections "as soon as possible."
- Paris offered to support the electoral process with European partners.
- France views democratic renewal as vital for the two-state solution.
France has strongly criticized Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's decision to postpone legislative elections, calling it "the worst possible service" to the Palestinian people. French Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking from Luxembourg, echoed the sentiment expressed in a Sunday statement from the Quai d'Orsay.
The decree signed by Abbas now schedules simultaneous presidential and legislative elections for September 11, 2027. The legislative elections had been slated for November 28, 2026, with the presidential vote initially planned for early 2025. This marks the second postponement, following a delay in 2021, and occurs twenty years after the last legislative elections were held.
French diplomacy emphasized that Palestinians have a right to self-determination through free and democratic elections. The Quai d'Orsay recalled Abbas's commitment to holding transparent elections and urged Palestinian authorities to reverse their decision and hold the polls "as soon as possible." France, along with its European partners, has offered to support the electoral process, potentially through the EU's election observation mission.
This postponement comes amid discussions between Abbas and French President Emmanuel Macron in 2025 concerning the recognition of a Palestinian state and reforms of Palestinian institutions. France officially recognized the State of Palestine on September 22, 2025, with Macron advocating for this step to preserve the two-state solution and encourage democratic renewal among Palestinians. Paris believes that new elections are crucial for Palestinian leaders to legitimately represent their people's aspirations and to uphold the two-state solution.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 2Arab 1Other 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
