Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, declared readiness to hold presidential and legislative elections within a year during the Arab League summit in Cairo. He also proposed creating a vice-presidential position and amnesty for expelled Fatah members. Abbas’s announcements indicate an attempt to address internal divisions within the PA and reiterate its legitimacy as the governing authority.
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas announced his readiness to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within the coming year, contingent upon favorable circumstances. This declaration occurred during an Arab League summit in Cairo focused on Gaza reconstruction. Alongside this announcement, Abbas proposed the establishment of a vice-presidential position in his government and granted amnesty to expelled members of his Fatah party.
During the summit, Abbas emphasized the necessity of restructuring the PA and reaffirmed that elections are possible if conditions in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem permit. He stated, “We are fully prepared to hold general presidential and legislative elections next year, provided that the appropriate conditions are met in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem.” This promise reflects long-standing calls from international supporters for political reform within the PA.
Abbas, who has led since 2005, indicated an awareness of internal party divisions with respect to the expelled members, particularly mentioning Mohammed Dahlan, a former security chief in Gaza now living in the UAE, who may play a significant role in future governance. The PA president reasserted the legitimacy of the PA as the sole governing and military authority in Palestinian territories.
Since the last presidential election in January 2005 and legislative election in January 2006, Palestinian political activity has stagnated due to ongoing power struggles between Fatah and its rival Hamas. Abbas’s proposals signify a pivotal moment that could potentially revitalize the Palestinian political landscape, pending the establishment of conducive conditions for elections.
Abbas’s recent announcements signify a critical step towards democratic reform within the Palestinian Authority, highlighting the intention to hold elections and introduce new governance structures. The proposals, including the creation of a vice-presidential position and amnesty for expelled members, suggest a willingness to unite and reorganize the PA in light of external pressures and internal divisions. Whether these plans materialize hinges on achieving suitable conditions in the Palestinian territories.
Original Source: www.france24.com
