Mahmoud Abbas, the long-serving Palestinian Authority president since 2005, remains in office at age 90 despite his term expiring years ago. Recent steps toward an orderly transition include the 2025 creation of a vice presidency and appointment of Hussein al-Sheikh as interim successor, followed by Abbas's May 2026 unanimous re-election as Fatah leader and pledges for reform. In June and July 2026 he issued decrees scheduling legislative elections for November 2026 and presidential voting for early 2027, reviving a process stalled for two decades. His January 2026 hospitalization for routine checks and broader internal pressure for generational change continue to shape expectations around the timing of any departure, while historical delays in Palestinian elections introduce uncertainty.