Mahmoud Abbas Schedules First Palestinian Legislative Elections Since 2006

President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree on July 10, 2026, setting November 28, 2026, as the date for legislative elections to elect members of the Palestinian Legislative Council. These would be the first parliamentary elections in 20 years, following the 2006 vote where Hamas defeated Abbas's Fatah movement. Abbas also announced that presidential elections will take place in the first quarter of 2027, though he has not confirmed if he will seek another term.

The decree introduces several reforms, including increasing legislative seats from 132 to 200, lowering the candidate age from 28 to 23, and requiring that at least one in three candidates be female. The move follows pressure from the U.S., E.U., Saudi Arabia, and France for the Palestinian Authority to implement reforms and restore legitimacy, as Abbas has remained in office since 2005 despite his term ending in 2009.

Significant logistical and political hurdles remain. The process requires Israeli cooperation for voting in East Jerusalem, a factor that led to the cancellation of scheduled elections in 2021. In the Gaza Strip, widespread infrastructure destruction and the displacement of nearly two million people have left population registries outdated. Additionally, the decree excludes elections for the Palestinian National Council, reportedly because European and Arab states refused to supervise PLO institutions and due to internal Fatah arrangements for appointing members abroad.