This paper discusses the way that Parliament scrutinises the Government's proposals for taxation, set out in the annual Budget statement. It looks at how this procedure may be affected by the timing of a General Election, and the decision in 2017 to move the Budget from the Spring to the Autumn. It also provides some suggestions for further reading.
Documents to download
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Palestinian elections? (75 KB, PDF)
Presidential and legislative elections have been agreed for 4 May but may not happen so soon.
Much depends on the reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas, the two main parties.
The talks are fraught with difficulty and have so far shown little progress towards establishing a unity government.
Any unity government that includes Hamas without Hamas recognising Israel and renouncing violence would be shunned by the US and the EU.
The Arab uprisings have shifted the poliltical landscape; Hamas may or may not be interested in a major re-alignment.
It remains unclear whether incumbent Abbas ould be the Fatah candidate, while Ismail Haniyeh, prime minister in Gaza would probably stand for Hamas
Opinion polls give Fatah a clear advantage, but they may be inaccurate
Documents to download
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Palestinian elections? (75 KB, PDF)
Related posts
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This paper provides details and links for ministerial statements and parliamentary debates (from both Houses of Parliament) that cover international affairs and defence.
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This landing page features Commons Library briefings on international elections.
