How Abbas Maintains Power Amid Calls for Palestinian Reform

By VirentaNews Staff — May 15, 2026

Can Mahmoud Abbas credibly lead a reform movement in Palestinian politics when his own tenure has been defined by prolonged rule without elections? That’s the question reverberating across the West Bank and Gaza after Abbas was unanimously re-elected chairman of Fatah at the party’s 2023 general conference. The Palestinian Authority president, now in his late 80s, has not faced a public vote since 2005, and parliamentary elections have not been held since 2006—when Hamas defeated Fatah. His latest reappointment, though ceremonial within the party, underscores a broader crisis of democratic legitimacy. With factional rifts deepening and youth-led movements demanding change, Abbas’s pledge to revive the electoral process and overhaul governance structures faces immense skepticism. Can institutional reform emerge from a system long criticized for centralization and stagnation?

Fatah Leadership Vote and Abbas’s Reform Pledge

At the eighth Fatah general conference held in Ramallah in August 2023, Mahmoud Abbas was re-elected chairman of the dominant Palestinian political faction by acclamation, reflecting his entrenched authority within the party. The gathering, attended by hundreds of Fatah delegates, culminated in Abbas calling for comprehensive reform of Palestinian institutions and the long-promised holding of national elections. He emphasized the need to unify the Palestinian political landscape, particularly between Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza. While the conference approved internal party reforms and elected a new Central Committee, the absence of competitive leadership contests within Fatah raised concerns about the sincerity of democratic renewal. Abbas’s re-election, though expected, reinforced perceptions of dynastic continuity, especially as his son, Mazen Abbas, has held influential business and diplomatic roles, fueling accusations of nepotism.

Supporting Evidence: Stalled Elections and Institutional Decay

Abbas’s promises of reform echo previous unfulfilled commitments. In January 2021, he announced presidential and legislative elections—the first in 15 years—only to indefinitely postpone them weeks before voting was to begin, citing Israel’s refusal to allow voting in East Jerusalem. This rationale was met with widespread criticism, both domestically and internationally. According to Reuters, Palestinian civil society groups and opposition factions accused Abbas of using the Jerusalem issue as a pretext to avoid electoral risk. Polls had indicated declining support for Fatah, particularly among younger Palestinians disillusioned with corruption and lack of progress toward statehood. The Palestinian Legislative Council has been effectively dormant since 2007, and the executive branch operates without legislative oversight. International monitors, including Human Rights Watch, have documented arbitrary arrests, suppression of dissent, and institutional weakening under Abbas’s rule, undermining claims of reform readiness.

Counter-Perspectives: Is Reform Possible Under Abbas?

Many analysts argue that genuine reform cannot emerge from the current leadership structure. Critics point out that Abbas’s authority relies on security coordination with Israel and international donor support—not democratic mandate. Political scientist Khalil Shikaki, director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, has noted that while Abbas retains formal legitimacy among Arab states and Western powers, his popular support has eroded significantly. Youth-led movements such as Tuwjeh (Direction) and Al-Tajammu‘ (The Forum) have emerged to challenge the old guard, advocating for term limits, transparency, and national unity. Some observers suggest that Fatah’s internal reforms are performative, designed more to appease international donors than to empower Palestinian citizens. Moreover, the deep schism between Fatah and Hamas—exacerbated by the 2007 Gaza takeover—remains a structural barrier to any inclusive electoral process. Without meaningful reconciliation, any future elections risk deepening division rather than restoring legitimacy.

Real-World Impact: Governance and the Future of Palestinian Statehood

The consequences of political stagnation are tangible for Palestinians living under occupation. In the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority administers limited self-rule but lacks sovereignty, while in Gaza, Hamas governs under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade. The absence of elections entrenches a leadership vacuum and weakens the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s (PLO) claim as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. This fragmentation weakens diplomatic efforts and diminishes leverage in negotiations with Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has shown little interest in reviving peace talks, and unilateral annexation plans in the West Bank continue to advance. Meanwhile, grassroots activism grows, with digital campaigns and protests calling for generational change. The longer elections are delayed, the greater the risk of further alienation between the leadership and the population—especially among the over 50% of Palestinians under age 18.

What This Means For You

For Palestinians and international observers alike, Abbas’s re-election and reform promises highlight the urgent need for accountable governance. Without credible elections and inclusive dialogue, the Palestinian national movement risks irrelevance in shaping its own future. The calls for reform are not just political—they are existential, tied to the struggle for self-determination and dignity.

Will Mahmoud Abbas, nearing the end of his political life, enable the democratic transition he has long promised, or will the next chapter of Palestinian leadership emerge from outside the traditional factions? The answer may determine whether a unified, representative Palestinian voice can re-emerge on the global stage.

Source: Al Jazeera