In a landmark political development, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has declared the first-ever direct popular elections for the Palestine Liberation Organization’s parliamentary body. The presidential decree, reported by official news agency Wafa on Monday, schedules the Palestinian National Council elections for November 1, 2026.
This revolutionary electoral reform marks a significant departure from previous practices where council members were traditionally appointed or co-opted from within the movement. President Abbas emphasized the inclusive nature of the upcoming elections, stating they will be conducted ‘wherever possible, both inside and outside Palestine, to ensure the broadest possible participation of the Palestinian people wherever they reside.’
The Palestinian National Council has historically functioned as the PLO’s parliament in exile, currently dominated by Fatah—the political movement co-founded by the late Yasser Arafat and now led by Abbas. Notably absent from the council are Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, both of which maintain separate organizational structures outside the PLO framework.
This electoral initiative emerges amid ongoing regional tensions and represents a substantial step toward democratic representation for the Palestinian diaspora worldwide. The move could potentially reshape the political landscape of Palestinian governance and influence future peace process dynamics.