Key facts
- The EU regrets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's decision to postpone legislative and presidential elections.
- Legislative elections were postponed from November 28 to September 11 next year.
- Presidential elections were postponed from early 2027 to September 11 next year.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that democratic elections are long overdue.
- The EU is ready to support the electoral process with an observation mission.
The European Union expressed regret over Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's decision to postpone legislative and presidential elections, with foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stating that democratic elections are long overdue and that the EU is ready to support the process. The legislative elections were originally scheduled for November 28, and the presidential election for early 2027, but both have been postponed to September 11 of next year.
Kallas noted that after 20 years without a legislative vote, Palestinian institutions need renewed legitimacy. The EU is prepared to deploy an election observation mission to support the electoral process. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also deeply regretted the decision, calling it a disservice to Palestinians who have the right to self-determination through free and democratic elections. The EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, had previously welcomed the decision to hold elections by the end of the year.
Palestinian legislative elections were last held in 2006. Abbas attributed the postponement to obstacles imposed by Israel and the need to establish appropriate political, security, and practical conditions.