Rights groups have accused both of suppressing political opposition. He won in 2005 but his term was only meant to last four years. Zuheir al-Khatib, a 57-year-old doctor from Bethlehem, was more optimistic. Both sides have been unwilling to cede power and compromise  and its not clear whether attitudes have changed. While he has repeatedly said he would not seek another term as president, he has not groomed a successor.
Mahmoud knew he was going to move forward with the elections.
( z0 know :ARG0 ( z1 person :name ( z2 name :op "Mahmoud" ) ) :ARG1 ( z3 move :ARG0 z1 :ARG1 ( z4 elect ) :direction ( z5 forward ) ) )
(z0 / know-01
    :ARG0 (z1 / person
              :name (z2 / name
                        :op1 "Mahmoud"))
    :ARG1 (z3 / move-01
              :ARG0 z1
              :ARG1 (z4 / elect-01)
              :direction (z5 / forward)))
Mahmoud knew he was going to move forward with the elections .
z1 :name z2
z2 :op1 0
z0 :ARG0 z1
z0 :ARG1 z3
z3 :ARG0 z1
z3 :direction z5
z3 :ARG1 z4