Palestine tells France legislative elections are set to be delayed until 2027: Reuters

• PA Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh notified France that November 28 legislative elections are delayed, recommending a push to late 2027.
• The PA cited deteriorating security, economic, and political conditions alongside the failure of promised international stabilization measures.
• France reaffirmed that holding elections remains essential to renew leadership legitimacy and preserve the two-state solution.

Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh has informed France that the Palestinian legislative election originally planned for November 28 will be postponed, with recommendations to push the vote to the first half of September 2027 due to deteriorating conditions across the Palestinian territories, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

In the letter, dated October 8 and addressed to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Al Sheikh stated that an official assessment concluded the necessary political, security, and economic benchmarks required for the November 2026 vote had failed to materialize.

"Holding them under the current circumstances faces fundamental obstacles affecting their inclusiveness, freedom of participation and the integrity of the electoral process," the letter noted, recommending that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas adjust the election timeline and issue a decree rescheduling the vote to September 2027 while internal dialogue continues.

Unfulfilled diplomatic promises 

The notification highlights unfulfilled expectations regarding international intervention and regional stability.

Palestinian officials had anticipated improved conditions following US President Donald Trump's peace initiative and a UN Security Council resolution, which included the deployment of international forces and Palestinian police in Gaza, Hamas' disarmament, and the withdrawal of 'Israeli' troops.

Additionally, the Palestinians expected US diplomatic efforts to halt further annexation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, curb settler violence, and secure the release of nearly $7 billion in Palestinian funds withheld by 'Israel'.

"However, these steps, understandings and promises have not materialized. Rather, conditions have worsened throughout the Palestinian territory," the letter stated.

Internal political divisions and severe logistical obstacles also contributed to the decision.

Within Abbas' Fatah party, some officials demanded inter-factional dialogue with Hamas to forge a unified vision before voting, while others noted that blockages preventing ballot boxes, election papers, and ink from entering Gaza rendered election execution impossible.

France urges elections 

The communication was delivered to France following Paris's official recognition of a Palestinian state in September 2025, a decision tied to written commitments from Palestinian President Abbas to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that elections would proceed.

Speaking on Thursday, French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pascal Confavreux reaffirmed Paris's stance, hailing the deployment of an EU election observation mission and stressing the necessity of the vote.

"These elections will enable the Palestinian leadership to champion its people's legitimate aspirations with renewed legitimacy, while preserving the two-state solution," Confavreux stated.

The Palestinian Authority has not conducted national elections since 2005–2006, after which Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 following its parliamentary victory. Abbas, who reaffirmed plans to hold the vote during his September 24 address to the United Nations, has ruled by decree since his original presidential mandate expired in 2009, amid declining public standing and stalled statehood negotiations.