Palestinian elections: Fatah leading, Hamas only at 33 per cent
Bethlehem (AsiaNews) A strong desire to take part in national politics and to see reforms started by President Mahmoud Abbas continue are the clearest signs emerging from local elections in 84 municipalities on the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip, this according to Bernard Sabela, professor of sociology at the Pontifical University of Bethlehem.
In Bethlehem elections had not taken place in 30 years, but results surprisingly show that al-Fatah, President Abbas's party, was poised to take control of 50 councils, better than Hamas's 28, the Islamist party seen as in the lead prior to the elections.
In terms of votes, al-Fatah won 60 per cent of the vote against Hamas's 33 per cent.
Smaller parties won four councils, and in another two there was no clear majority.
Before the vote, Islamists were thought favoured by Fatah's declining popularity that resulted from the corruption scandals it was mired in.
Analysts however point to Fatah's ability to initiate internal reform and opening itself to younger members as the key to its success.
This had enabled the party to obtain good results in student elections and allowed it to line up reform-minded candidates for the municipal elections.
"This does not mean that Hamas has lost support," professor Sabela explains, "but we should not be too alarmed".
"It is important that Hamas also take part in the political process. It would be impossible to build the future Palestinian state without all parties involved," he added.
Exit polls indicate that Fatah won several councils in the Gaza Strip, including Rafah in the south and Beit Lahia in the north. By contrast, Hamas won 12 out of 15 seats in the West Bank city of Qalqilyah.
For many analysts, these elections are a test of where Palestinian public opinion is leading in the run-up to the July 17 parliamentary elections.
For the Bethlehem sociologist, "it is certain that Fatah will arrive at these elections in a strong position. People have shown they want clean politicians and signalled their support for the reforms Abbas initiated".
Yesterday's poll was the second in a three-round vote. The first one was held in Gaza last January and saw Hamas take 77 seats out of the 118 available with Fatah winning only 22.
The third round is scheduled for next August.
More than 2,500 candidates stood for election with a high turnout: 80 per cent in Gaza Strip and 70 per cent in the West Bank.
Official results will not be released until next Sunday, May 8.
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