Lawmakers from Fatah have threatened to vote nonconfidence in the new Palestinian government presented on Monday, lamenting that the new cabinet has not incorporated anticipated reforms. The vote was postponed until Tuesday.
Fatah is the faction of the new Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Qurei’ presented his new government to the Palestinian Legislative Council, the parliament, on Monday to receive their confidence vote.
After the PLC meeting, A-Tayyib ‘Abd A-Rahim, secretary of ‘Abbas’s office and a member of Fatah’s Central Committee, said there was a severe crisis regarding the lineup of the new ministers. The vote was postponed in order to give Fatah parliamentarians time to discuss their reservations. ‘Abd A-Rahim described the situation as “difficult.”
Many of the ministers in the new government belong to Yassir Arafat’s ‘old guard,’ and are viewed as corrupt. Fatah members were hoping the new government would include new faces as part of a reformed leadership, and not a simple shift in portfolios.
A vote of nonconfidence may force Qurei’ out of office unless the necessary changes are made. ‘Abbas may charge someone else with forming a government.
If Qurei’ is forced to leave office, ‘Abbas will be under no obligation to follow suit.