Australia, Canada, France and UK “deeply regret” Palestinian decision to postpone elections to September 2027

The foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom said on 13 October that they “deeply regret” the decision by Palestinian President Abbas to postpone both the Palestinian Legislative Council elections and the presidential election to September 2027. The four governments called on the Palestinian Authority to reconsider and hold the votes “without further delay”.

The joint statement was published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. It does not say when the elections had been due to take place.

What the four governments said

The ministers noted that nearly two decades have passed since the last Legislative Council elections and that the vote planned for 2021 was also postponed. In their words, an entire generation of Palestinians has reached adulthood without the chance to choose their elected representatives, and the new delay will further erode public confidence in democratic institutions.

They also acknowledged that significant challenges and impediments have affected the ability to hold elections consistent with international standards and with the participation of all eligible Palestinians. They commended the work of the Central Elections Commission on practical preparations to address those challenges.

The statement links credible elections to the reform commitments made by President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, including democratic renewal and accountable governance, and to the June 2025 New York Declaration. Strengthening Palestinian governance, the ministers wrote, is essential to building the institutional foundations of a viable two-state solution.

Calls on Israel and a line on Hamas

The four governments said they will keep supporting efforts to deliver the elections. They repeated a call on Israel to refrain from actions that could impede the vote, including the practical arrangements needed for all Palestinians to take part. They also restated their position that Hamas can have no role in the future governance of Palestine.

The statement is the position of the four signatory governments. The Palestinian Authority’s own reasons for the postponement are not set out in it, and this article does not report them.