Mahmoud Abbas, aged 90, has led the Palestinian Authority since 2005 under a mandate that expired in 2009, ruling by decree amid repeated delays of national elections. Trader focus centers on his advanced age, public polling showing roughly 80% of Palestinians favoring his resignation, and a July 2026 decree setting legislative elections for November 28—the first in two decades—followed by presidential voting targeted for 2027. A late-2025 constitutional amendment designates Hussein al-Sheikh as interim successor for up to 90 days pending elections if Abbas vacates office. Internal Fatah dynamics, including his son Yasser’s rising role and rivalries with figures like Mohammed Dahlan, alongside new election laws requiring PLO program adherence, add uncertainty over whether votes proceed or alter leadership. Recent U.S. visa restrictions and donor pressure for reforms further shape the timeline for any transition.