Fatah official Jibril Rajoub calls for presidential election before legislative vote

Jibril Rajoub, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee, has called for Palestinian presidential elections to be held before legislative elections, arguing that the Palestinian political system is presidential in nature and therefore requires the election of a president first. Speaking during a meeting with youth activists organised by the Palestinian Peace Coalition in Ramallah on Tuesday, Rajoub said Palestinian factions should agree on a national consensus candidate for the presidency. He suggested that, under such an arrangement, Mahmoud Abbas would remain chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Rajoub also expressed doubts that legislative elections could be held as scheduled at the end of November, saying that a comprehensive national dialogue would be needed beforehand and that elections should be […]