France Expresses Deep Regret with Western Allies Over Postponement of Palestinian Presidential and Legislative Elections
Foreign ministers of France, the UK, Australia, and Canada expressed their regret over the postponement of Palestinian elections.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Paris, October 13 (KUNA) -- France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada expressed their deep regret on Tuesday over the decision to postpone the Palestinian presidential and legislative elections to September of next year. In a joint statement issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers of the four countries said, “We, the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom, express our deep regret over the decision by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to postpone the Palestinian legislative and presidential elections to September 2027.” The statement added, “An entire generation of Palestinians has reached adulthood without having the opportunity to elect their representatives and deputies.” It clarified that the postponement would cause great disappointment among Palestinians and would further erode public trust in democratic institutions. The statement emphasized that holding credible elections is important to demonstrating President Abbas’s and the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to implementing reforms, particularly regarding democratic renewal and responsible governance. Last Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for simultaneous presidential and legislative elections on September 11, 2027, following a decision by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), after canceling Decree No. 4 of 2026, which had called for legislative elections on November 28 of this year. The Palestinian News Agency (Wafa) reported that the issuance of the decree was based on the PLO Executive Committee’s decision and in light of national consultations with Palestinian factions and political forces, as well as the national consensus reached regarding the obstacles imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on holding elections on the originally scheduled date, and the need to create suitable political, security, and field conditions to ensure free, fair, and inclusive elections. (End) M.B. / S.A.M.
