Legislative Elections: A Chance to Rebuild the Political System or a New Formal Step?

With President Abbas issuing a decree to hold legislative elections at the end of the year, elections return to the forefront after years of division. Factions have begun dialogues to form electoral alliances, but the occupation remains the most influential factor, especially in Jerusalem. The elections carry opportunities and risks, and the real test is the day after the results.

President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree to hold legislative elections at the end of this year, bringing the election file back to the forefront after years of division and paralysis of legislative institutions. The announcement comes in a complex Palestinian reality, internally and externally, with the repercussions of war, occupation, and regional pressures. Factions have begun a series of dialogues to form electoral alliances and joint lists, in an attempt to avoid repeating the previous division. But building alliances is not easy, as disagreements extend to strategic issues: the form of the political system, the relationship with the occupation, the future of resistance, and the management of authority. The Israeli occupation remains the most influential factor, especially in occupied Jerusalem. The election committee begins its preparations in August. The elections carry opportunities to reunify the political system and renew its legitimacy, but they could turn into a formal step if disagreements remain. The real test is the day after the results: will national partnership prevail or will division return?