AMAN's position statement on the “constitutional” declaration regarding the vacancy of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President
Ramallah - In light of President Mahmoud Abbas' issuance of a “constitutional” declaration, according to which the Speaker of the Palestinian National Council (PNC) will assume the duties of the President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in the event of a vacancy in the office for a period not exceeding ninety days, during which free and direct presidential elections will be held to elect a president. According to the same declaration, if elections cannot be held within this period, they will be extended by a decision of the Palestinian Central Council for another period, for one time only. However, the declaration violates the provisions of the Palestinian Basic Law, which stipulates that in the event of a vacancy in the position of the President of the National Authority, the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council shall assume the duties of the President of the National Authority temporarily, for a period not exceeding 60 days, during which free and direct elections shall be held to elect a new President in accordance with the Palestinian Elections Law.
The Aman Coalition believes that the challenges faced by the Palestinian people require the genuine involvement of the Palestinian people and their representative frameworks to agree on a comprehensive national reform program for the political system, work to end the political division, hold general legislative and presidential elections, rebuild governance, unify state institutions, and restore national unity within the framework of a national political program.
