The Palestinian Authority has announced plans to hold its first elections in two decades. President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree on Thursday setting legislative elections for November 28.

If held, this would be the first vote in the Palestinian Territories since 2006. The official Wafa news agency reported that the decree calls on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip to participate in free and direct elections.

Abbas, 90, won the presidential election in 2005 with a four-year mandate that was to end in 2009. However, the following year, Hamas defeated his Fatah party in parliamentary elections, effectively suspending the legislature and voting ever since.

The median age in the Palestinian Territories is about 20, meaning much of the population has never voted. The international community, particularly financial backers, has demanded legitimate elections.

However, questions remain about the actual power of the Ramallah-based PA and Abbas. The body faces criticism for political stagnation, corruption, and declining legitimacy. It is also unclear how elections could be conducted in Gaza, where most buildings and infrastructure were destroyed by Israeli strikes over two years.

Source: www.dw.com