JERUSALEM, Monday, January 21, 2019 (WAFA) – The European Union Representative and heads of EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah Monday said that in light of the decision to dissolve the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), genuine and democratic elections should be held in Palestine to preserve its democratic institutions.

“The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah have noted the dissolution of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in December 2018 and the announcement of legislative elections within 6 months,” they said in a statement.

“While the PLC has not been in session since 2007 and has not been in a position to exercise its function as the legislative body of the Palestinian Authority, as foreseen in the Palestinian Basic Law, over the course of the last decade, its dissolution formally brings to an end the mandate of the only elected governing body of the Palestinian Authority, a development the EU missions regard with concern.”

The EU missions said they “encourage the Palestinian leadership to work toward strong, inclusive, accountable and democratic institutions, based on respect for the rule of law and human rights. Hence, the EU calls upon the government to work towards genuine and democratic elections for all Palestinians. The European Union considers this to be crucial in view of the establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian State.”

To this end, the missions called “on all Palestinian factions to seek common ground and to work together to pursue a positive path towards democracy for the full benefit of the Palestinian people.”

They also urged “all Palestinian factions to engage in good faith in the reconciliation process which is an important element for reaching the two-state solution. The Palestinian Authority must fully resume its governmental functions in Gaza, as it is an integral part of a future Palestinian state.”

The Palestinian Constitutional Court dissolved the PLC in December and called for holding new legislative elections within six months.

M.K.