Palestinian militant challenges election

Jailed Fatah party activist Marwan Barghouti is to field his own list of candidates in a direct challenge to Fatah President Mahmoud Abbas in forthcoming elections to the Palestinian parliament


MARWAN BARGHOUTI, 61
Popular Palestinian militant, serving life imprisonment in Israeli prison for five counts of murder, which he denies
 
Breaking with party that controls Palestinian Authority poses direct challenge to President Mahmoud Abbas, 85
 
“Freedom” list headed by Nasser Al-Qudwa – nephew of party’s late founder Yasser Arafat – and Barghouti’s wife Fadwa
 
Barghouti may run against Abbas in presidential election in July

Barghouti in court appearance on Jan 25, 2012
   

PALESTINIAN ELECTION TIMELINE

2005: Abbas elected Arafat’s successor as head of Palestinian Authority
    
2006: Hamas Islamist party wins parliamentary elections, causing international backlash
 
2007: Hamas wrests control of Gaza Strip from Fatah-run Palestinian Authority

2009: Abbas’ term expires, but he chooses to stay in office

2012: Local elections on West Bank undermine Fatah’s position, as it wins only two-fifths of seats contested on 55% turnout

2014: Fatah and Hamas agree to form unity government. Fatah complains that separate Hamas cabinet continues to rule Gaza

2017: Hamas signs reconciliation deal aimed at transferring control of Gaza to Palestinian Authority, but disputes stall implementation
    
May 2021: Legislative elections

Jul 2021: Presidential elections
  

Sources: United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Stratfor, BBC, Haaretz   
Pictures: Getty Images
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