EU Pledges to Help Make Palestinian General Elections a Success https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2753501/eu-pledges-help-make-palestinian-general-elections-success
EU Pledges to Help Make Palestinian General Elections a Success
Head of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission Hanna Nasser during a press conference on Sunday, January 17, 2021. (AFP)
London, Ramallah- Asharq Al-Awsat
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EU Pledges to Help Make Palestinian General Elections a Success
Head of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission Hanna Nasser during a press conference on Sunday, January 17, 2021. (AFP)
The European Union (EU) has pledged to provide “all that is necessary” to hold “transparent Palestinian elections,” scheduled for later this year.
The spokesperson for the EU’s office in Jerusalem, Shadi Othman, told the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) that the Central Elections Commission’s (CEC) meeting with the EU on Monday complemented the ongoing bilateral contacts.
It also emphasized the EU’s role in support of the Palestinian cause in addition to providing it with political support for holding the elections, Othman explained.
He pointed out that both sides discussed all that the EU could provide during the next phase, especially international observers, as well as its intervention to facilitate access to East Jerusalem and Area C in the West Bank.
There are agreements that determine the means and mechanisms of conducting these elections, with the participation of all parties, and enabling Palestinian citizens to vote in all Palestinian areas, Othman noted.
He stressed that political communications with all relevant parties will take place during the coming period to ensure the success of the electoral process.
On Monday, Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh called on the EU to send observers to elections, specifically requesting EU monitors in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.
President Mahmoud Abbas signed last week a decree setting legislative elections for May 22 and a presidential vote on July 31, in what would be the first Palestinian polls in 15 years.
Head of the Palestinian CEC Hanna Nasser announced on Monday holding a meeting with EU representative in the Palestinian territories Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff in Ramallah.
The meeting tackled Israel’s potential obstacles to holding elections in Jerusalem, Nasser said, calling on the EU to pressure Israel in this regard.
Franjieh Withdraws from Lebanon’s Presidential Race, Backs Army Commanderhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5099296-franjieh-withdraws-lebanon%E2%80%99s-presidential-race-backs-army-commander
People look at a ballot box displayed inside the parliament building, a day ahead of Lebanon's parliament's attempt to elect a new head of state in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 8, 2025. (Reuters)
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Franjieh Withdraws from Lebanon’s Presidential Race, Backs Army Commander
People look at a ballot box displayed inside the parliament building, a day ahead of Lebanon's parliament's attempt to elect a new head of state in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 8, 2025. (Reuters)
Head of the Marada Movement Suleiman Franjieh announced on Wednesday that he was withdrawing from Lebanon’s presidential election and backing the candidacy of army commander Joseph Aoun.
Lebanon is holding the much-awaited election on Thursday.
In a post on the X platform, Franjieh said: "Now that the conditions are ripe for the election of a president tomorrow, I am withdrawing my candidacy, which has never been an obstacle in the electoral process."
He added that Aoun "enjoys the qualities that would preserve the standing of the country’s top post."
He hoped "the nation would overcome this stage with unity, diligence and responsibility."
Parliament will try to elect a president on Thursday, with officials seeing better chances of success in a political landscape shaken by Israel's war with Hezbollah and the toppling of the group's ally Bashar al-Assad in neighboring Syria.
The post, reserved for a Maronite Christian in the country's sectarian power-sharing system, has been vacant since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022. The former president is not related to army commander Aoun.
None of the political groups in the 128-seat parliament have enough seats to impose their choice, and they have so far been unable to agree on a consensus candidate. The vote marks the first test of Lebanon's power balance since the Iran-backed Shiite group Hezbollah - which propelled its then Christian ally Aoun to the presidency in 2016 - emerged badly pummeled from the war with Israel.
It takes place against a backdrop of historic change in the wider Middle East, where the Assad-led Syrian state exercised sway over Lebanon for decades, both directly and through allies such as Hezbollah.
Before Franjieh withdrew from the race and reflecting the shifts, Hezbollah and its ally the Shiite Amal Movement led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri dropped their insistence on Franjieh, their declared candidate for the last two years, and said they are ready to go with a less divisive figure, three senior sources familiar with their thinking said.
Candidates in focus include army commander General Joseph Aoun - said by Lebanese politicians to enjoy US approval - Jihad Azour, a senior International Monetary Fund official who formerly served as finance minister, and Major-General Elias al-Baysari - head of General Security, a state security agency.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he felt happy because "God willing, tomorrow we will have a new president", according to a statement from his office.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also expressed hope in comments to France Inter radio, saying the election was "a prerequisite for the continuation of this dynamic of peace" and also for Lebanon's economic and social recovery.
However, two of the sources and an analyst cautioned that it was not yet certain any candidate would be elected. To win, a candidate must secure 86 votes in a first round, or 65 in a second round.
‘National awakening’
Joseph Aoun would still need 86 votes because his election requires a constitutional amendment, as he is a still-serving state employee, Berri has said.
A State Department spokesperson said it was "up to Lebanon to choose its next president, not the United States or any external actor".
"We have been consistent in our efforts to press Lebanon to elect a new president, which we see as important to strengthening Lebanon’s political institutions," the spokesperson said.
Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa said last week there was "no veto" on Aoun. But the sources said Hezbollah, designated a terrorist group by the United States, will not support him.
Aoun has a key role in shoring up the ceasefire brokered by Washington and Paris in November. The terms require the Lebanese military to deploy into south Lebanon as Israeli troops and Hezbollah withdraw forces.
Still reeling from a financial collapse in 2019, Lebanon desperately needs foreign aid to rebuild. Much of the damage is in Shiite majority areas.
Hezbollah, its supply line to Iran severed by Assad's ousting, has urged Arab and international support for Lebanon.
Lebanon's Maronite Bishops called on lawmakers to elect a president, urging a "national awakening".