PLO Establishes Vice President Role Amid Leadership Transition

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has voted to establish the position of vice president, a move widely seen as an effort to clarify the line of succession under 89-year-old leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has not named a successor. The new role, created almost unanimously by the PLO Central Council, is intended to pave the way for a successor to Abbas and address longstanding concerns about leadership uncertainty. Analysts say this structural change is a response to both internal and external pressures, as the Palestinian Authority faces criticism over governance and demands for reform, particularly in the context of postwar Gaza planning. While the vice president position is expected to become central to Palestinian governance, no individual has yet been appointed. The PLO remains the internationally recognized representative of the Palestinian people, although it has been sidelined in recent years amid the rise of Hamas and ongoing conflict with Israel. The creation of this role is viewed as a prelude to broader political changes within the Palestinian leadership.