Palestinian Authority Says Elections Are to Be Postponed

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1. 1h ago

   Palestinian Authority Postpones First Legislative Elections in 20 Years

   Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree delaying legislative elections that were originally scheduled for November, pushing the vote alongside a presidential poll to September 2027. The Palestinian Authority blamed the delay on worsening conditions across the territory. Regional figures and international allies criticized the postponement, stating it deprives Palestinians of their democratic right to vote and threatens the two-state solution. The decision extends a nearly two-decade hiatus in Palestinian legislative voting.

   Why it matters

   The cancellation extends a period of nearly twenty years without a legislative vote, compounding internal political fragmentation within Palestinian governance. Fatah faced a strong challenge from a rival alliance between Hamas and Dahlan, which threatened its electoral strategy. Israel also blocked an election team from entering east Jerusalem and Gaza, according to the Palestinian Authority.

   What is confirmed

   • Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas postponed legislative elections that were originally set for November.
   • Joint presidential and legislative elections are now set for September 2027.
   • The foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, and the UK expressed deep regret over the decision to delay the vote.
   • The Palestinian Authority stated that worsening conditions throughout the territory forced the delay.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Gideon Sa'ar accused PA President Abbas of fooling the world with the election delay.
   • A Hamas-Dahlan alliance threatened Fatah's electoral plans and exposed wider power struggles.
   • The Palestinian Authority stated that Israel blocked an election team from entering east Jerusalem and Gaza.

   What to watch next

   • Whether regional opposition from Western allies prompts any policy shifts from the Palestinian Authority
   • Preparations and candidate registrations ahead of the newly scheduled September 2027 polls
   • Any formal response from Hamas and other Palestinian factions regarding the extended delay
   Sources used for this update (22)

   1. AP News — Palestinian factions move to delay the first legislative elections in 20 years
   2. Reuters — EXCLUSIVE: Palestinians set to delay legislative elections due to worsening conditions, letter says
   3. Ynetnews — Abbas' promise to Macron crumbles as Palestinian elections are postponed
   4. The Times of Israel — Palestinian Authority confirms delaying what would have been 1st legislative election in 20 years
   5. The Jerusalem Post — Palestinian Authority says Israel blocked election team from entering east Jerusalem, Gaza
   6. The New York Times — Palestinian Authority Says Elections Are to Be Postponed
   7. The Times of Israel — Sa’ar accuses PA’s Abbas of ‘fooling’ world with delay in legislative election
   8. Haaretz — Palestinian Elections Postponed for Months Amid 'Worsening Conditions'
   9. The Jerusalem Post — Palestinian President Abbas postpones legislative elections until late 2027
   10. The National — What is behind the postponement of Palestinian elections and what happens next?
   11. Reuters — Abbas postpones Palestinian elections, sets presidential poll for September 2027
   12. CBS News — Palestinian Authority president postpones legislative elections another year, marking 20 years without a vote
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