The key facts
- Abbas postponed the elections from November 28, 2026 to September 11, 2027 — this canceled the first parliamentary elections in 20 years.
- Carney: 'much is not working' and 'many bear responsibility for it'; Canada will continue to support free and fair elections.
- Palestinian authorities explained the postponement by a decision of the PLO Executive Committee and obstacles created by Israeli measures.
Election postponement
On Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree postponing legislative elections to September 11, 2027. This decision canceled the previous decree that scheduled parliamentary elections for November 28, 2026 — they would have been the first parliamentary elections in 20 years. The decree instructs residents of the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip to participate in simultaneous elections for the President of the State of Palestine and members of the Legislative Council.
Authorities' justification
Palestinian authorities stated that the postponement followed a decision of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and consultations with political factions, based on a consensus about the obstacles created by Israeli measures and the need to ensure viable political, security and field conditions for free, fair and inclusive elections.
Canada's reaction
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday at a press conference in Ottawa that 'much is not working' inside Palestine and 'there are many who bear responsibility for it.' Asked whether Canada plans actions beyond the foreign ministers' statement expressing deep regret to push the Palestinian Authority to fulfill its international obligations, Carney replied that Canada supports efforts to hold 'free and fair elections' in Palestine and will continue to do so. He also pledged to continue humanitarian aid to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza, noting: 'We have far more resources allocated for support than can be delivered to Gaza.'
