Fatah Militants (Photo from Sydney Morning Herald)Leadership Vacuum Feared After Abbas -- Washington Times
Term ends in January; Fatah, Hamas can't agree on elections
TEL AVIV | A constitutional crisis is brewing in the Palestinian territories that could make the dim prospects of Arab-Israel peace even more remote.
The four-year presidency of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas ends Jan. 8 and, so far, his Fatah party and Hamas haven't reached agreement on the terms for a new presidential election.
Palestinians fear a failure to resolve the crisis could embolden Hamas, which took over Gaza 20 months ago, encourage political violence and further undermine the Abbas-led Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
"There is a political crisis of legitimacy," said Sam Bahour, a Palestinian businessman and political analyst. "Abbas has already proven that he is willing to stretch the law as much as possible to avoid a political vacuum, and the question is whether he will do it again now. People are very worried about what comes next."
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My Comment: After Abbas, there is no one of substance to lead Fatah.