# Palestinian Authority Postpones Elections, Citing Israeli Obstacles Amid Power Struggle Activist Samer Sinijlawi challenges the delay, alleging leadership seeks to maintain control indefinitely. - **Source:** [National Post - RSS Feed](https://nationalpost.com/) - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9419ed08-8c40-49c3-9b5c-1ea760ac6463 ## Election Delay Sparks Controversy President Mahmoud Abbas officially postponed legislative and presidential elections until September 2027, citing Israeli measures as the primary obstacle. Palestinian activist Samer Sinijlawi disputes this claim, arguing the delay is a strategic move by the current leadership to cling to power. The decision effectively halts the first potential vote since 2006. ## Internal Power Dynamics Analyzed Sinijlawi suggests the postponement was engineered by Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh, the potential successor to Abbas. Critics argue that blaming external Israeli interference serves as a convenient distraction from internal governance failures. The Palestinian Authority has not held national elections in over twenty years, leading to significant political stagnation and frustration. ## Voter Mobilization and Demographics Approximately 90 percent of eligible Palestinian voters had registered for the November 28 elections before the cancellation. Roughly 62 percent of these registrants are under the age of 39, meaning they have never participated in a national election. This demographic represents a significant portion of the population excluded from political decision-making processes. ## International Commitments and Accountability The Palestinian Authority previously promised to hold elections in 2026 as part of a commitment linked to statehood recognition. Canada, along with Australia, France, and the U.K., issued a joint statement expressing deep regret over the delay. These nations emphasize that credible elections are essential for institutional reform and long-term stability. ## Economic Crisis and Governance Beyond political concerns, the Palestinian Authority faces a severe financial crisis affecting public sector workers. Schools operate on limited schedules, and many teachers must work secondary jobs to survive. Sinijlawi argues that if the current leadership cannot resolve these systemic issues or negotiate effectively, they must step aside for new governance. ## Advocacy for Diplomatic Pressure Samer Sinijlawi is urging the Canadian government to leverage financial aid as a tool to pressure the Palestinian Authority into restoring the election timeline. He believes that international partners must hold the leadership accountable for broken promises. The activist continues to pursue legal and administrative avenues to challenge the postponement until 2027. ## Criticism from Advocacy Groups The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and B’nai Brith Canada have criticized the Canadian government's response. They argue that Canada should hold Palestinian leaders directly accountable rather than implying blame on Israel. These groups view the Palestinian Authority as a dysfunctional entity that has squandered numerous opportunities for peace and progress. ## Future Path for Reform The movement led by Sinijlawi, Masar Jadid, remains committed to democratic alternatives despite the setback. International observers maintain that strengthening Palestinian governance is a prerequisite for a viable two-state solution. The path forward remains uncertain as stakeholders debate whether diplomatic pressure can force a leadership change or a reversal of the decree. ## Sources covering this story - https://nationalpost.com/news/palestinian-activist-israeli-election-delay — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._