Mahmoud Abbas, the 90-year-old Palestinian Authority president since 2005, has remained in office far beyond his original four-year term amid repeated election postponements. Recent developments include his July 2026 decree scheduling legislative elections for November 28—the first in over two decades—while indicating presidential voting only in 2027, alongside a prior decree naming Hussein al-Sheikh as interim successor for up to 90 days if a vacancy arises. Fatah's May 2026 conference reaffirmed Abbas's leadership and elevated his son Yasser, drawing nepotism concerns, while polls show low public support and rising interest in alternatives such as Marwan Barghouti. Traders weigh these institutional maneuvers, internal factional rivalries, and external reform pressures against the risk of health-related transitions or canceled votes in assessing removal timelines.