{
  "id": 13143630,
  "title": "What is behind the postponement of Palestinian elections and what happens next?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/what-is-behind-the-postponement-of-palestinian-elections-and-what-13143630",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T15:02:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/10/09/what-is-behind-the-postponement-of-palestinian-elections-and-what-happens-next/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Mahmoud Abbas announced in 2023 that Palestine would hold legislative elections in November 2024 and Presidential elections in 2025, aiming for diplomacy. However, sources now reveal that these elections are being postponed once more. This follows a cancellation in 2021 when Abbas believed the Palestinian government might be revived. Former Palestinian-Canadian lawyer Dania Buttu, the PLO's former spokeswoman, stated that the delay is not a postponement but a cancellation, highlighting Abbas's overstay of his term by 17 years, ruling by decree.\n\nThe postponement occurs at a critical time, weakening the Palestinian Authority's credibility amid numerous challenges. These include Israel's occupation of over half the Gaza Strip, killing 70,000 Palestinians since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, and the failure of international obligations. Settler attacks in the West Bank have intensified, and conditions inside Israeli prisons are described as torture by rights groups.\n\nDespite these challenges, Abbas has not secured a future for Palestine. With no clear plan for governance after his death, he has bolstered his son's position and created a role for him that lacks a clear action plan. This lack of leadership and systemic problems have created an environment unfavorable for elections for decades.\n\nAbbas's unpopularity is evident, with an August opinion poll by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research showing 79 percent of 1,270 people wanting him to resign. High-level meetings and tactical alliances between factions seeking to unseat him and his Fatah party are causing concern. Abbas's popularity has plummeted, with a recent opinion poll by the PSR revealing 79 percent of Palestinians wanting him to resign. The internal disarray within Fatah, the faction he leads, is also a significant reason for the postponement of elections.",
  "summary": "Under intense pressure to reform, President Mahmoud Abbas vowed 2026 would be the year of diplomacy, announcing that Palestine would hold legislative elections in November and Presidential elections next year. Many doubted they would happen, given past experience. Their fears became reality this week, with sources telling The National that the elections are to be delayed again. The last time this…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "What is behind the postponement of Palestinian elections and what happens next?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/what-is-behind-the-postponement-of-palestinian-elections-and-what",
        "published": "2026-10-09T15:02:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}