Continuing reform efforts, Palestinian Authority to elect deputy for 90-year-old President Abbas for first time

The Palestinian Authority (PA) plans to elect a vice president for the first time, capping off a reform push designed to make the unpopular quasi-government a serious contender to take over the Gaza Strip once Hamas is destroyed or exiled.

The election of a deputy to 90-year-old PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who would automatically become the prime contender to take over the leadership once Abbas passes, could prove to be the most important move of the reforms.

Abbas was elected to succeed Yasser Arafat as the leader of the PA in 2005, and has since held onto power despite his term ending in 2009.

Over the last several months, Abbas has advanced some administrative reforms in the PA under heavy pressure from Arab and European states, who want the PA to take over the Gaza Strip from the Hamas terrorist organization.

According to Sky News Arabia, the issue was also discussed during the recent phone call between Abbas and French President Emmanuel Macron, who asked for the appointment of a deputy, reorganization of the Fatah party, and the return of several popular leaders who were sidelined by Abbas, including Mohammed Dahlan, and a nephew of Arafat, Nasser al-Qudwa.

However, the Israeli government has consistently opposed giving the PA control over Gaza after the war.

Ynet News reported that around 180 members of the Palestinian Central Council have been invited to attend an upcoming meeting in Ramallah on April 23, during which a new vice president will be elected.

A source from the PA listed several candidates for the vice presidential position, including 64-year-old Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the PLO Executive Committee; 71-year-old Jibril Rajoub, a senior Fatah party official who defended the Oct. 7 invasion by Hamas; and 75-year-old Rawhi Fattouh, who was recently appointed as Abbas’ interim replacement in the event of illness or death.

Abbas’ succession has been hotly debated for years, given his advanced age and the fact that he ignored the end of his term and has continued ruling as a quasi-dictator for over 15 years since then.

While announcing his plans to elect a deputy during a visit to Cairo, Egypt last month, Abbas also vowed to restructure the PA’s overall leadership framework and advance younger leaders in the highly complex Palestinian government apparatus, which includes the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the terror group turned political party, Fatah, and state agencies under the PA.

The Palestinian Central Council will also discuss plans to reclaim Gaza and advance national unity.

A Palestinian source told the UK-based Asharq Al-Awsat news outlet that discussions about Gaza's future are ongoing and involve the PA, the United States, European countries, Arab states, Hamas and Israel.

The source added that the discussions are not just centered on Gaza but aim to advance the establishment of a Palestinian state encompassing Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip.

The European Union announced a large aid package for the Palestinians this week, including €1.2 billion for the PA in the form of grants, and €400 million in loans from the European Investment Bank and the European Fund for Sustainable Development of the PA.