Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a constitutional declaration to name his deputy, Hussein al-Sheikh, as a temporary replacement if he can no longer fulfill his role.

According to Anadolu Agency, the official news agency Wafa cited the declaration, which states: "In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President of the Palestinian Authority, and in the absence of the Palestine Legislative Council, the Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), also the Vice President of the State of Palestine, will temporarily assume the duties of the President for a period not exceeding 90 days." The declaration further specifies that during this period, free and direct elections will be conducted to elect a new president in accordance with the Palestinian Election Law.

The declaration also addresses potential delays in the election process, stipulating that if elections are not held within the 90-day timeframe due to force majeure, the period can be extended by a decision of the Palestinian Central Council for one additional term only. This new declaration revokes Constitutional Decree No. 1 of 2024, which stated that the chairman of the Palestinian National Council would assume the duties of the presidency in the event of a vacancy.

In his remarks, Abbas emphasized that the declaration affirms "the principle of the separation of powers and the peaceful transfer of power through free and fair elections." Abbas has been serving as the president since January 15, 2005, after the death of former President Yasser Arafat in November 2004.