Palestinian parliament to hold no-confidence vote
The Palestinian parliament decided today to hold a vote of no-confidence in the government of Mahmoud Abbas after the Palestinian leader defied a demand by politicians to form a new cabinet.
The parliament speaker, Rauhi Fattouh, said he would announce on Saturday when the vote will be held.
Earlier this month, parliament had demanded that Abbas immediately form a new government to fight growing chaos and lawlessness in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Abbas told politicians today that it makes no sense to replace cabinet ministers because many of them will resign anyhow by the end of November in order to be eligible as candidates in the January 25 parliament vote.
“You had taken the decision to reshuffle the government,” Abbas said. “Maybe you forgot that we are about to enter the election?” he asked legislators.
