Mahmoud Abbas remains Palestinian Authority president at age 90 amid ongoing health concerns and a long-expired mandate, with no resignation announced. In 2025 he created a vice-presidential post and appointed Hussein al-Sheikh, who was later designated temporary successor via presidential decree for up to 90 days pending elections if the office becomes vacant. Legislative elections are now set for November 28, 2026—the first in two decades—while presidential polls are slated for early 2027. Fatah’s May 2026 internal vote and Abbas’s succession planning reflect efforts to manage transition within the PLO framework, though polls have long shown widespread domestic calls for his departure and obstacles including participation rules and security conditions persist. These institutional steps and timelines shape trader assessments of near-term change.