### Towards a political transition in Palestine: the establishment of a post of vice-president at the OLP
On September 19, 2024, at a press conference in Madrid, the president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas found himself under the spotlight because of a significant political decision: the creation of a new position of vice-president in the Palestine Liberation Organization (OLP). This vote, which took place on April 24 during an agreement in Ramallah, revealed both an answer to requests for reform of the international community and a potential turning in Palestinian governance, since Mahmoud Abbas, aged 89, has directed the PLO since 2004.
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The need for reforms within the PLO and the Palestinian Authority is a recurring call for international donors. Since the absence of national elections for over 18 years, questions about the legitimacy of the current management have been increasing. The creation of a vice-president position could be perceived as an attempt to respond to these criticisms and prepare a political transition, faced with the uncertainty that hangs over the future of Mahmoud Abbas.
The vote revealed strong approval on the central council of the PLO, with 170 members out of 188 supporting this initiative. In this context, some analysts, such as Aref Jaffal, see this decision a prelude to the appointment of a successor. However, questions remain as to the nature of this succession and the true impact of this reform on the Palestinian political scene, often marked by internal struggles.
### Mixed reactions
The reactions to this announcement were not long in coming, illustrating the divisions that cross the Palestinian political landscape. Hamas, the main rival of Abbas Fatah, criticized the decision, evoking a deepening of divisions and a strengthening of unilateralism. This position highlights a major challenge: the need for national unity among the various Palestinian factions, which remains more than ever a difficult to materialize.
In addition, certain factions, including the Democratic Front of the Liberation of Palestine (FDLP) and the Popular Liberation Front of Palestine (FPLP), have left the Convention due to disagreements on the reform project. They have expressed doubts about its opportunity, considering that this initiative could be more influenced by external pressures than a real need for internal change.
#### A fragile economic context
The economic situation of the Palestinian authority also raises questions as to the viability of these reforms. Currently on the verge of bankruptcy, the authority is under pressure to carry out political and institutional reforms. Since the persistent tensions between Hamas and Israel, the need for stable governance is becoming more and more pressing, both to ensure the proper functioning of institutions and to maintain the confidence of the international community.
Donors, while insisting on the need for reforms, condition their help with tangible advances. This creates a dilemma: while these reforms can strengthen institutions, they can also be perceived as a means for external actors to influence Palestinian governance.
#### What future?
Could the creation of a vice-president at the PLO really strengthen institutions and promote increased recognition of the Palestinian state on the international scene, as Mahmoud Abbas suggests? Or is it simply a device to hide the lack of real political options in the face of persistent challenges?
The situation remains complex and delicate, and it calls for an in -depth reflection on the political future of the Palestinians. The need to find a balance between internal roughness and external pressures is crucial to develop a unified vision that will meet the expectations of Palestinians while sailing in an eminently volatile political and social landscape.
The road to significant reforms within the PLO and the Palestinian authority is strewn with pitfalls, but each step, even symbolic, can help open the way to a renewed dialogue. It is perhaps in this dynamic that resides the hope of more inclusive governance and lasting peace for the Palestinian people.