Media: Palestinian president sets up mechanism for PNA interim leadership

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has signed a constitutional declaration establishing the mechanism for temporarily assuming the duties of the President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in case of a vacancy, WAFA news agency reports.

Under the new declaration, in the absence of the Legislative Council, the responsibilities of the PNA President will temporarily transfer to the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Vice President of the State of Palestine. The interim period is limited to 90 days, during which free and direct elections for a new PNA President must be held in accordance with existing electoral laws. If elections cannot take place due to force majeure, the temporary mandate may be extended once, for a single additional term.

The new constitutional declaration repeals Constitutional Declaration No. 1 of 2024, aiming to protect the national interests of the Palestinian people.

“Based on the above and in accordance with the higher national interest in maintaining stability, we have issued this Constitutional Declaration to reaffirm the principle of separation of powers and the peaceful transfer of authority through free and fair elections,” Abbas emphasised.

By Khagan Isayev