Ramallah: President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a constitutional declaration outlining that in the event of a vacancy in the office of the President of the Palestinian Authority, and in the absence of the Palestine Legislative Council, the Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), also the Vice President of the State of Palestine, will temporarily assume the duties of the President for a period not exceeding 90 days.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, during this interim period, free and direct elections will be organized to elect a new president, following the Palestinian Election Law. If elections cannot take place within this timeframe due to force majeure, the duration may be extended by the Palestinian Central Council for one additional term only.
The declaration also revokes the previous declaration No. 1 of 2024 to serve the national interests of the Palestinian people. President Abbas stated that the declaration's purpose is "to protect the Palestinian political system, safeguard our homeland, ensure its security, and preserve its constitutional institutions" in case of a vacancy in the presidential office.
President Abbas also highlighted the significance of national dignity, stating, "We believe that the dignity of the nation reflects the dignity of each of its individuals, who are the foundation of its construction. The freedom of the individual, the rule of law, and the promotion of values such as equality, democracy, pluralism, and social justice are the basis of the legitimacy of any ruling system that will lead the country in the next phase of our people's history."
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of stability and the separation of powers, stating, "Based on the above, and in the supreme national interest in preserving stability, we have issued this constitutional declaration to affirm the principle of the separation of powers and the peaceful transfer of power through free and fair elections."
