Palestine*: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the postponement of elections

According to the Council of the EU, the EU "deeply regrets" the Palestinian Authority's decision to postpone until September 2027 the legislative elections initially scheduled for 28 November 2026 as well as the presidential election that was due to take place early 2027.[2] Reuters reports that both were postponed to September 11 next year.[1]JNS reports that Abbas announced the postponement on Saturday, citing Israeli restrictions, security concerns and deteriorating conditions in the Palestinian territories, including Gaza[3].In the statement, the EU said that, "acknowledging the challenges and limitations facing the Palestinian Authority, we reiterate the importance of organising legislative and presidential elections as soon as possible, in line with President Abbas' previous commitments."[4] The statement also said such elections are "long overdue."[4]The EU also said it "reiterates its readiness to support the electoral process, including by the deployment of an EU Election Observation Mission."[4] According to Demócrata, the EU links its continued support for the Palestinian Authority with "progress towards these objectives and the advancement of reforms."[5]The Jerusalem Post reports that the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, and the UK also called Abbas's decision "deeply disappointing" in a joint statement released on Tuesday.[6] According to JNS, those ministers said "an entire generation of Palestinians has reached adulthood without the opportunity to choose their elected representatives,"[3] and urged the Palestinian Authority to reconsider the decision.