Elections in the Palestinian territories were due to be held on 28 November, but have now been postponed by a year. This puts Espen Barth Eide in a very awkward position. Palestinian self-government is Barth Eide’s brainchild, and senility and misrule do not make for good publicity.
President Mahmoud Abbas is 90 years old, and his term of office expired in 2009. His legitimacy is therefore a farce.
There was great excitement when he finally announced elections in November. Only to then backtrack and postpone them until 11 November 2027.
“Norway supports the Palestinians’ right to self-determination in their own state. We have long been a partner in Palestinian institution-building and democratic development,” says Eide.
Norway also contributes financially to the conduct of elections through its support for the independent Palestinian Central Elections Commission, he points out.
– I also expect Israel to facilitate the holding of the elections, as it is obliged to do. Norway will continue to support the national Palestinian institutions, including the conduct of the elections.
Norway’s reputation is also being discredited. Norway has invested heavily in Palestinian self-government, only to see it fall apart.
– State institutions need democratic legitimacy. I urge the Palestinian leadership, headed by President Abbas, to reconsider this postponement and hold the elections earlier. (NTB)
