Mahmoud Abbas issues a new constitutional declaration to determine the mechanism of his succession

Today, Sunday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a constitutional declaration stipulating that his deputy, Hussein Al-Sheikh, would temporarily assume the duties of presidency of the National Authority in the event of a vacancy in the position, in the absence of the Legislative Council.

According to the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa,

The resolution stipulates that the Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Liberation Organization and the Vice-President of the State of Palestine shall assume presidential duties for a period not exceeding ninety days, during which free and direct presidential elections will be held.

It can be extended for one time only by a decision of the Palestinian Central Council if it is not possible to do so.

The new declaration also canceled the Constitutional Declaration issued in 2024.

Which granted the President of the National Council the power to assume the presidency temporarily.

This amendment is a fundamental step in reorganizing the mechanisms for transferring power within the Palestinian political system.

Abbas stressed in the text of the announcement that the decision comes “out of concern for the stability of the political system, preserving its constitutional institutions, and ensuring their continuity.”

And an embodiment of the principle of peaceful transfer of power through free and fair elections.”