The Hamas Party in Palestine has announced that its top parliamentary seat will go to Mahmoud az Zahar, who received the most votes of any candidate during the legislative elections January 25th.After winning a majority of seats in the legislature, Hamas is required to form a new Cabinet and government. The party has extended a request to the now-minority Fateh party to form a coalition, but Fateh has so far declined the invitation.
The Party has yet to pick a Prime Minister, though they are expected to announce a candidate by the opening of the Palestinian Parliament on Saturday. Ismail Haniyeh has been rumored to be the top candidate, but party officials are hesitant to speculate, due to the possibility of a joint Fateh-Hamas partnership in which Haniyeh may not be seen as the best choice.
