Palestinians announce first elections in 15 years, on eve of Biden era

[Mosby]

RAMALLAH, West Bank/GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced parliamentary and presidential elections on Friday, the first in 15 years, in an effort to heal long-standing internal divisions.

The move is widely seen as a response to criticism of the democratic legitimacy of Palestinian political institutions, including Abbas’s presidency.

It also comes days before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, with whom the Palestinians want to reset relations after they reached a low under President Donald Trump.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-election/palestinians-announce-first-elections-in-15-years-on-eve-of-biden-era-idUSKBN29K2C9

I give this about a 10% chance of actually happening.

Maybe less.

[Mosby]

1. PA: Abbas rival won't be allowed to run in Palestinian election

Deposed Fatah operative Mohammed Dahlan will not be allowed to run in the upcoming Palestinian presidential election, because he is a convicted criminal, two senior Palestinian officials said on Saturday.

Dahlan loyalists, meanwhile, welcomed Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to call new elections and said that they intend to participate in the electoral process.

https://m.jpost.com/middle-east/pa-abbas-rival-wont-be-allowed-to-run-in-the-election-655665/amp