RAMALLAH, October 26, 2025 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas issued a constitutional declaration today stipulating that, in the event of a vacancy in the office of the President of the Palestinian Authority, and in the absence of the Palestine Legislative Council, the Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), also the Vice President of the State of Palestine, will temporarily assume the duties of the President for a period not exceeding 90 days.

During this period, free and direct elections will be held to elect a new president, in accordance with Palestinian Election Law. If elections cannot be conducted within that timeframe due to force majeure, the period may be extended by a decision of the Palestinian Central Council for one additional term only.

Under the new constitutional declaration, the previous declaration No. 1 of 2024 is hereby revoked to protect the national interests of the Palestinian people.

In his statement, President Abbas emphasized that the declaration aims “to protect the Palestinian political system, safeguard our homeland, ensure its security, and preserve its constitutional institutions” in the event of a vacancy in the office of the President of the Palestinian Authority.

He added: "We believe that the dignity of the nation reflects the dignity of each of its individuals, who are the foundation of its construction. The freedom of the individual, the rule of law, and the promotion of values such as equality, democracy, pluralism, and social justice are the basis of the legitimacy of any ruling system that will lead the country in the next phase of our people's history."

He concluded: "Based on the above, and in the supreme national interest in preserving stability, we have issued this constitutional declaration to affirm the principle of the separation of powers and the peaceful transfer of power through free and fair elections."

M.N