The Palestinian Authority (PA) is slated to hold its first legislative elections in two decades in late November, a move that comes amid ongoing challenges and a complex political landscape.
The PA, which holds nominal authority over parts of the West Bank, has not held elections since 2006, when Hamas defeated the dominant Fatah party. The Palestinian Legislative Council, the PA's parliament, has been largely defunct since that vote and was formally dissolved in 2018. The PA has functioned primarily as an administrative body with limited sovereignty due to the ongoing Israeli military occupation and settlement expansion.
These upcoming elections are seen by some as a step toward governance reform, a prospect the international community has encouraged as a pathway to Palestinian statehood. The European Union, a significant financial supporter of the PA, has consistently advocated for institutional reforms and backed Palestinian elections.
Last June, PA President Mahmoud Abbas committed to holding elections under international supervision in a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron stated at the time that this commitment demonstrated a willingness to advance a two-state solution. Following Abbas's pledge, France recognized the State of Palestine in September. Several other Western nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, also recognized a Palestinian state in September.
However, significant obstacles remain for the planned November elections. The PA's control is limited, with Hamas having governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. The PA exercises only partial civil control over portions of the West Bank, while Israel maintains overall security control.