The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, has emphasized the urgent need for the Palestinian population to have the "possibility to vote to choose their leaders and representatives in their institutions," after the Palestinian Authority decided to postpone the legislative and presidential elections for a year, now set for November 2027, following the attacks by Israel in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Twenty-Seven, Kallas expressed that she "deeply" regrets the measure announced by the Palestinian Authority and reminded that "the holding of democratic and transparent elections" throughout the occupied Palestinian territory "is an urgent necessity."
Although the head of European diplomacy acknowledges "the challenges and limitations faced by the Palestinian Authority," she insists on the relevance of calling legislative and presidential elections "as soon as possible," in line with "the previous commitments" made by President Mahmoud Abbas.
"Palestinians must have the possibility to vote to choose their leaders and representatives in their institutions," the statement emphasizes, in which the EU reiterates its willingness to support the electoral process, also through the sending of a European Electoral Observation Mission on the ground.
The text recalls that the European Union maintains "a supportive stance towards the efforts to build the Palestinian state and the reforms" and stresses that elections "credible, inclusive, and transparent for all Palestinians" "are vital for the Palestinian people, democratic legitimacy, and accountability."
Furthermore, the Twenty-Seven emphasize that the holding of elections is key "for the two-state solution" and link the continued support of the EU to the Palestinian Authority with "progress towards these objectives and the advancement of reforms."
The words of the member states come after the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, announced on Saturday the cancellation of the legislative elections scheduled for November 28 and their rescheduling to November 11, 2027, the date on which they would be held jointly with the presidential elections.
Abbas argued his decision due to the restrictions and attacks by Israel in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which, he denounced, prevent ensuring the necessary conditions to organize "free, fair, and inclusive" elections.