Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Abbas Postpones Palestinian Elections, Schedules Presidential Vote for 2027
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has delayed elections that were supposed to happen soon.
He set a new date of September 11, 2027, for both the legislative and presidential elections.
His decree said that security problems and Israeli restrictions made it difficult to prepare for a vote.
It also pointed to challenges in Gaza, including humanitarian conditions and incomplete reconstruction.
Israel’s foreign minister said Abbas’s explanation was a lie meant to avoid responsibility.
France said holding elections was important and welcomed an EU election observation mission.
Palestinians have not held presidential or legislative elections since 2005-2006.
Abbas has continued governing by decree since his presidential mandate expired in 2009.
Mahmoud Abbas postponed Palestinian legislative elections and set legislative and presidential polls for September 11, 2027.
The postponed legislative vote had been due next month; the presidential election had no date specified in the report before the decree.
Abbas’s decree cited Israeli measures, security conditions, movement restrictions and other obstacles to holding elections.
Palestinians have not held legislative or presidential elections since 2005-2006, and Abbas has governed by decree since his mandate expired in 2009.
Israel’s foreign minister rejected Abbas’s explanation, while France said elections were essential and welcomed an EU election observation mission.
- Who
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas postponed the elections; Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar criticized his explanation.
- What
- Legislative elections were postponed until September 11, 2027, and a presidential poll was scheduled for the same date.
- When
- The announcement was reported on October 10; the new election date is September 11, 2027.
- Where
- The elections are for Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.
- Why
- Abbas’s decree cited Israeli measures and security and humanitarian conditions that it said impeded preparations for elections.
Abbas’s stated rationale
Criticism and calls for elections
Reason for postponement
Abbas’s stated rationale
Abbas’s decree said Israeli measures and security and humanitarian conditions made it difficult to prepare for and hold free, fair and inclusive elections.
Criticism and calls for elections
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called Abbas’s remarks a lie intended to evade responsibility and accountability.
Need to hold elections
Abbas’s stated rationale
The decree said postponement would allow time for comprehensive Palestinian national dialogue to strengthen unity and address electoral challenges.
Criticism and calls for elections
France said holding elections was essential and welcomed an EU election observation mission.
- New election date
- September 11, 2027
- Elections affected
- Legislative elections were postponed; a presidential poll was set for the same date.
- Previous national elections
- Palestinians have not held legislative or presidential elections since 2005-2006.
- Abbas’s governance
- He has governed by decree since his presidential mandate expired in 2009.
- Decree’s stated obstacles
- Israeli military attacks, settlement expansion, settler violence, movement restrictions and withheld Palestinian tax revenues.
- Gaza-related concerns
- The decree cited exceptional security and humanitarian conditions, incomplete Israeli withdrawal, limited reconstruction progress and unimplemented arrangements for international stabilisation forces and police.
- International response
- France said elections were essential and welcomed the launch of an EU election observation mission.