France urges Abbas to reverse decision to postpone Palestinian elections until September 2027

France has urged the Palestinian leadership to reverse its decision to postpone presidential and parliamentary elections until September 2027, calling for them to be held as soon as possible, French newspaper Le Monde reported on Sunday.

A French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the postponement once again deprives the Palestinian people of their right to express their democratic will through the ballot box. The spokesperson stressed the need to allow Palestinians to choose their representatives in free and transparent elections, nearly 20 years after the last national parliamentary elections.

On Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree setting 11^th September 2027 as the date for presidential and parliamentary elections. This postpones the parliamentary vote, which had been scheduled for 28^th November this year, while the presidential election had been expected in early 2027.

The Palestinian presidency justified the decision by citing obstacles created by Israeli measures that prevent elections from being held on the previously scheduled date. It also said conditions needed to be prepared on the political, security and ground levels to ensure free, fair and inclusive elections.

The decision followed a meeting in Cairo last Wednesday attended by Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas. According to a source familiar with the discussions, the factions agreed to hold a national dialogue and called for the vote to be postponed.