Referendum proposed to choose next PM

In light of the faltering Palestinian reconciliation, which has stalled at the naming of the Prime Minister of the next government, a proposal has emerged that is contrary to the essence of the provisions and terms of the Palestinian reconciliation agreement signed in Cairo. The proposal concerns holding a referendum to choose a Palestinian Prime Minister, as a way out of the stalemate that has accompanied the transfer of the reconciliation agreement. As a way of dealing with this proposal, some Palestinian news sites held referendums on their websites. The results showed that the majority of participants supported the idea of using a referendum to choose the Prime Minister of the new government. A dispute has broken out between Fatah and Hamas regarding the naming of the next Prime Minister, and this has become an obstacle which is preventing the realization of the reconciliation. Political analyst Khalil Shaheen described the referendum proposal as a "Ridiculous heresy". He said: “Never before has a referendum been organized to choose a Prime Minister. It is an idea which I find extremely strange and trivial. A Prime Minister is normally appointed by the President in accordance with the original Palestinian system. However, at the agreement of national reconciliation in Cairo, and after years of internal division, it was agreed that the choice of the new Palestinian Prime Minister should be agreed upon by the Palestinian factions. It was a clear statement, and there is no ambiguity about it.” Shaheen added: “There are many crucial issues which require a referendum, such as the political path and negotiating process. The Palestinians have a large number qualified people who could fill the position of Prime Minister. With regards to the e-referendum and its results, Shaheen said: “We must emphasize the lack of professionalism and accuracy of such electronic surveys. They do not reflect the wishes and views of the Palestinian people. The referendum was open to internet users all over the world, from all nationalities. Mohammad Nasser, a member of the Political Bureau of the Hamas Movement blamed President Mahmoud Abbas for obstructing the completion of the Palestinian unity government file. Nasser stated: “Abbas is insisting on hiring Salam Fayyad to fill the Prime Minister’s position during the transitional period. However, Hamas rejects this nomination, and we have stressed to the delegation of Fatah movement that we put a veto on Fayyad.” Nasser declared in a press statement that Hamas raised many names during the dialogue sessions held with the Fatah movement in Cairo. He added: “We did not stick to one particular name.” He pointed out that the economist Moneb El Masri, was among the names put forward by the movement as moderate and acceptable figure. He has extensive international contacts and good relations with various forces. Nasser denounced Abbas’s insistence on Fayyad rather than any other candidate, as he considers that the Palestinian arena is rich with potential candidates that are qualified for the position of Prime Minister. Nasser revealed that during his talks with the head of the delegation of Fatah, Azzam Al-Ahmed, and during their agreement on an expected meeting in Cairo between the Palestinian President and Chairman of Hamas’ Political Bureau, Khaled Meshaal, he asked Al-Ahmed if Fatah was putting Fayyad forward as the sole candidate for the movement to fill the position. He said that Al-Ahmad replied by saying that there are other figures in the Fatah movement, and that it “does not stop only at Fayyad”, in the sense that they are open to any other name than Fayyad’s. Nasser added: “It seems that Abbas does not see anyone but Fayyad, and insists on him, despite the fact that Fatah does not want to stick to him”. Nasser alerted the Fatah movement to the need to “deal with the government’s file with transparence and clarity, due to its great importance as a title of the reconciliation”. He indicated to all the files associated with the completion of the government's file, and said: “The government will be the one to manage the transition phase, and the supervision of all issues surrounding the reconciliation until the election is held. The government will also be responsible for providing the appropriate climate for the running of these elections.” He warned that the delay in sorting out the government’s file would reflect negatively on all the issues related to the achievements of the reconciliation on the ground. As for whether or not the Fatah movement intends to postpone the completion of the government's file until after September, so as not to disrupt the Right of September, which the Palestinian Authority is looking forward to achieving at the United Nations, Nasser replied that: “The brothers in Fatah have not spoken to us about it”, and he called for the need for the disclosure of this matter. He said: “The ball is in Fatah’s court. We are waiting for our brothers in the movement to do their duty for the reconciliation, rather than continuing with the current stalemate as a result of their unclear stance on the government’s file.” Nasser stressed that: “The division ended with the signing of the reconciliation agreement, but things remain at a standstill because we have not settled the government's file.” Nasser has denied rumors about the existence of Turkish efforts to hold a meeting between Fatah and Hamas, pointing out that the reconciliation file is sponsored by Egypt. He emphasized that the Turkish side had only wanted to explore the movement's position concerning the reconciliation.