Jordanian diplomat: Ramallah Authority refuses elections for fear of people's punishment

Jordanian diplomat Marwan Muasher says there are worrying signs that the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah does not want to hold the legislative elections scheduled for November 28, for fear of the results and the punishment of the Palestinian voter. He stresses the need to hold the elections on time to renew Palestinian legitimacy.

Jordanian diplomat and former foreign minister and deputy prime minister Marwan Muasher said there are "worrying signs" that the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah does not want to hold the legislative elections scheduled for November 28. Muasher added, in a television interview, that the reason, in his estimation, is the Authority's fear of the election results and the potential stance of the Palestinian voter, noting that the Palestinian landscape has changed significantly since the last legislative elections in 2006. He explained that new forces have emerged in Palestinian society over the past twenty years and lack representation in the Legislative Council, despite their entitlement, considering that Palestinian society "deserves real representation" in the council. Muasher stressed the need to hold the elections on time, "regardless of the outcome," as a requirement to renew Palestinian legitimacy and represent political and societal forces and components. Muasher had previously stated that President Mahmoud Abbas no longer represents the Palestinian people, given what he described as a decline in his popular legitimacy.