Palestinian Elections Set
Palestinian Authority Schedules Legislative Elections for 2026, First Parliamentary Vote Since 2006
Key Points
The decree was issued under Law No. (1) of 2007 on general elections and its amendments, anchoring the move in the established legal framework.
The presidential elections are scheduled to take place in the first quarter of next year (2027), to be set in accordance with the law.
Abbas’s term dates and legitimacy context: he won the 2005 presidential election, his term should have expired in 2009, but it was extended and no presidential election has been held since.
In the 2006 legislative elections, Hamas won, defeating Abbas's Fatah, after which the Palestinian Legislative Council has not met since 2007.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has signed a decree setting November 28, 2026, as the date for Palestinian legislative elections — the first in two decades, according to WAFA. The vote will cover East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and will elect members of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
The last Palestinian legislative election was held in 2006. Hamas won that vote, defeating Abbas's Fatah party. The council has not met since 2007. This new decree marks a major step, though many doubt whether the vote will actually happen on schedule, according to Times of Israel.
Abbas Signs Decree Anchored in Palestinian Election Law
The decree was issued under Law No. (1) of 2007 on general elections, according to WAFA. That law sets the legal rules for how Palestinian votes are run. By grounding the decree in this law, Abbas gave the announcement an official legal basis. The decree also calls on the public to take part in "free and direct" elections.
A presidential election is also being planned. According to WAFA, that vote is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2027. The exact date will be set later, in line with the applicable law. For now, the legislative vote on November 28, 2026, is the only date that has been formally announced.
Abbas Has Ruled Without a Fresh Mandate Since 2009
Abbas won the Palestinian presidential election in January 2005. His four-year term was supposed to end in 2009. It never did. No presidential election has been held since, according to Times of Israel. Abbas has continued to rule, but his legitimacy has been questioned for years — both inside the Palestinian territories and abroad.
The Palestinian Legislative Council has been frozen since 2007. That was the year after Hamas beat Fatah in the 2006 elections. Hamas then took control of Gaza, and the council stopped functioning. Since then, Abbas has governed largely by decree, with no working parliament to check his power.
International Pressure Drives Push for Democratic Reform
The international community and donors have pushed hard for Palestinian political reforms. Holding elections is a key part of what they want to see, according to Times of Israel. The Palestinian Authority needs outside financial support to function. Showing movement toward democracy helps make the case for continued aid and recognition.
Abbas has pledged elections before. Those promises were delayed or dropped. Past votes planned for 2021 were called off, with Abbas citing Israel's refusal to allow voting in East Jerusalem. Whether November 2026 will be different remains an open question, given the ongoing war in Gaza and deep divisions between Fatah and Hamas.
Gaza War Casts a Long Shadow Over Election Plans
Holding elections across East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza all at once is a massive challenge. Gaza has been under intense Israeli military operations since October 2023. Hamas controls the territory and has a complicated relationship with the Palestinian Authority. It is not yet clear whether Hamas would take part in or allow any vote in Gaza.
The decree is a signal of intent, but experts and observers will be watching closely to see if it holds. According to WAFA, the decree aims to "consolidate the foundations" of the Palestinian political system. That language suggests this is as much about legitimacy as it is about logistics. The world will be watching November 28, 2026.
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