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Abu Mazen Postpones Palestinian Elections Until 2027, Faces Fierce Criticism
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree on Saturday, October 10, 2026, postponing the legislative and presidential elections from November 28, 2026, to September 11, 2027. The decision, which follows a resolution by the PLO Executive Committee and consultations with Palestinian factions, effectively delays the vote by nearly a year.
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What happened
- 01Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas postponed the legislative and presidential elections from November 28, 2026, to September 11, 2027.
- 02The decree cited Israeli military operations, community expansion in Judea and Samaria, and movement restrictions as obstacles to holding the vote.
- 03The Palestinian Authority reportedly requested Israeli permission for election officials to operate in East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, which was refused.
- 04Deputy PA Chairman Hussein al-Sheikh informed France on Friday that the elections would be delayed due to deteriorating conditions.
- 05Analysts and reports suggest Abbas postponed the elections due to low popularity and fear of losing to a unified list including Hamas and Mohammed Dahlan.
- 06A recently reported alliance against Abbas includes Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and former Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan.
- 07The last Palestinian general elections were held in 2006, and Abbas has ruled by decree since his mandate expired in 2009.
In the decree, Abbas and other Palestinian officials cited Israeli measures as the primary reason for the postponement. They stated that Israeli military operations, the expansion of communities in Judea and Samaria, restrictions on movement, and the withholding of tax revenues made holding fair elections impossible. Additionally, the decree noted that Israel refused to allow election commission representatives and observers into East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, where the presence of the Israeli army continues to present significant challenges.
However, reports and analysts suggest internal political fears drove the delay. Abbas, whose presidential term officially ended in 2009, reportedly fears his Fatah party would lose to a newly forming alliance. This bloc reportedly includes Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Abbas's exiled rival Mohammed Dahlan. According to Kan News, Deputy PA Chairman Hussein al-Sheikh informed France of the delay on Friday, citing deteriorating conditions, while France has been pushing for PA reforms and elections in exchange for state recognition.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 12 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: JDN. Read JDN’s original
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