EU says Palestinian polls should be held 'as soon as possible'

The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said Monday that Palestinian legislative elections should be held "as soon as possible," after they were delayed to 2027.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday postponed the polls — due to be held on Nov. 28 — to September next year, official media said, confirming widespread speculation they would be deferred.

"Ministers regretted the postponement of Palestinian elections. Palestinian legislative and presidential elections should take place as soon as possible," Kallas said, after a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Legislative elections in Israeli-occupied Palestine have not been held since 2006.

Now the elections will be held alongside the presidential vote on Sept. 11, 2027, Abbas said in a decree, blaming "obstacles" imposed by Israel, according to the Palestinian official news agency Wafa.

Holding elections is part of the reforms demanded by the international community, including the European Union, which is the biggest international financial supporter of the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA).

France has also expressed regret over Abbas' decision to postpone legislative elections and a presidential poll, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday, urging him to reconsider.

"France is calling on the Palestinian authorities to reverse their decision and to organize parliamentary and presidential elections throughout Palestine as soon as possible," the French foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.