Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a constitutional declaration on Sunday that allows his vice-president, Hussein Al-Sheikh, who is also the Vice-President of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), to temporarily assume the role of President in the event of a vacancy in the presidential post.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the declaration specifies that this temporary assumption of power can last up to 90 days, during which free and direct elections are to be held to elect a new president. If unforeseen circumstances prevent elections from being conducted within this period, the Palestinian Central Council may extend the temporary term by one additional period.
The role of vice-president of the PLO Executive Committee and vice-president of Palestine was approved by the Central Council on April 24, 2025. President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Al-Sheikh to assume the position.