Fatah more likely to win election

An Iranian expert in regional affairs says the Fatah movement is more likely to win the prospective Palestinian general election than Hamas in light of the support of the Arab states and its popularity in the international scene.

Mohammad Irani told Qudsna that the Palestinian consensus government was formed out of a dire need on the part of both movements with Fatah seeking to resume its presence in Gaza and Hamas seeking to mend the fences and exit isolation in the wake of the fall of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The expert said the transitional Palestinian government with its 6-month mandate is required to prepare for Palestinian Authority presidency election and parliamentary election, adding that Hamas is doubted to be able to retain its majority in a future Palestinian parliament.

The expert talked of perceptions on the part of Arab states that the PA head, Mahmoud Abbas has a better standing than past so that he could hold the majority in the prospective parliament while confining Hamas representativeness to a limited bloc in the parliament.

The expert however was cautious about the success of the government due to their ideological differences as well as the uncertain future of the region.