Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority

The Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority was post of the head of government of the Palestinian Authority government, which operated between 2003 to January 2013, when it was officially transformed into the State of Palestine. Some still refer to the Prime Minister of the Gaza Strip as the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority.

The Prime Minister's Office was created in 2003 to manage day-to-day activities of the Palestinian government. The position was created because both Israel and the United States had indicated their refusal to negotiate directly with Yasser Arafat. The executive structure of the government however lies under the President of the Palestinian National Authority.

In March 2003, President Arafat nominated Mahmoud Abbas for the post of the first Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority. On 29 April, the Palestinian Parliament approved the appointment.

The Prime Minister was appointed by the President of the Palestinian National Authority and not directly elected by the Palestinian Legislative Council (parliament) or Palestinian voters.

Unlike the Prime Minister's office in many other nations, the Palestinian Prime Minister is not required to be a member of the legislature while in office. Instead, the appointment is made independently by the ruling party. The Prime Minister is expected to represent the majority party or ruling coalition in the parliament.

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