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Source: http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=2521
Ending the Palestinian Political Stalemate: Abbas' Electoral Option
[Washington Institute for Near East Policy] Mohammed Yaghi and Ben Fishman - If there is to be any hope of salvaging the Palestinian political system now, a bold political initiative is required to end the current state of paralysis and restore direction and capability to the PA. If Abbas seeks to change Palestinian political prospects through legal and democratic means, his only effective option may be to resign and call for an early presidential election. Abbas has no legal authority to call for a national referendum that would enable the public to ratify a particular political program. If Abbas wants to challenge Hamas' authority, his options range from declaring a state of emergency to disbanding the Hamas government. But Palestinian law is clear that such measures require legislative consent, giving Hamas an effective veto on Abbas unless he is willing to act beyond the legal limits of his authority.