Lebanon Today
A new constitutional declaration was recently issued by the Palestinian President “Mahmoud Abbas”, concerning the mechanism of power transfer in exceptional circumstances.
The declaration stipulates that in the event of the office of the President of the Palestinian National Authority becoming vacant, and in the absence of the Legislative Council, the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and President of the State of Palestine shall assume the functions of the presidency on a temporary basis. This transitional period is limited to a maximum of 90 days, during which free and direct elections are held to elect a new president, in accordance with the applicable Palestinian election law.
The declaration also clarifies that in the event of force majeure preventing the holding of elections within this period, the specified period may be extended by a decision of the Palestinian Central Council, but only once.
According to the Palestinian News and Information Agency (“WAFA”), this new declaration repeals Constitutional Declaration No. (1) of 2024, “in order to preserve the supreme national interest of the Palestinian people.”
In the text of the declaration, “Abbas” emphasized the importance of this step, saying: “Believing in and aware of this delicate stage in the history of the homeland and the Palestinian cause, and in fulfillment of our historical and constitutional responsibility to protect the Palestinian political system and preserve its institutions, we have issued this declaration in affirmation of the principle of separation of powers and the peaceful transfer of power through free and fair elections.”
“Abbas” continued, explaining: “The dignity of the homeland is a reflection of the dignity of every individual of its sons, and freedom, the rule of law, equality, pluralistic democracy, and social justice are the basis of legitimacy for any system of government that leads the country in the coming stage.”
source: 961 today
