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French foreign minister says Palestinians 'must' hold polls / Photo: © AFP
French foreign minister says Palestinians 'must' hold polls
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Wednesday the Palestinians "must" hold fresh elections amid growing international concerns they will be delayed because of logistical challenges.
"They absolutely must be held," he said, noting legislative polls had been slated for this November and presidential elections for the first quarter of 2027.
The Palestinians are scheduled to hold legislative elections for the first time in two decades on November 28 –- a month after close-fought Israeli elections -- but there are wide doubts on whether the vote will take place. A senior Palestinian official, Jibril Rajoub, recently said a dialogue was needed on how to hold them.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, 90, has been ruling by decree since his term ended in 2009. He announced in June that he would also call presidential elections for early 2027.
The Islamist movement Hamas won the last Palestinian legislative elections in 2006, defeating Abbas's Fatah. As a result, the Palestinian Legislative Council, the parliament of the Palestinian Authority which in is charge of much of the West Bank, has not convened since 2007.
Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007. On October 7, 2023, Hamas led the deadliest attack ever on Israel, which has responded with a major offensive that has left Gaza in rubble.
A. Bogdanow--BTZ
