Web Desk: The Oxford Union has elected Arwa Hanin Elrayess, a Palestinian-Algerian student of Philosophy, Politics and Economics, as its president for the Trinity Term 2026, marking the first time in the society’s 202-year history that a student of Arab or Palestinian origin will lead the institution.
Decisive Win in High-Turnout Contest
Elrayess, a member of St Edmund Hall, won the presidency with 757 first-preference votes, finishing roughly 150 votes ahead of her rival, Liza Barkova. Voter participation reached 1,528, a sharp increase from the previous election cycle. Her father, Mohamed Elrayess, celebrated the milestone in a social media post, describing her victory as a moment of pride for Arabs, Palestinians and Algerians.
Campaign Centred on Governance Reforms
During her campaign, Elrayess promised to draw a clearer line between the Union’s internal politics and its high-profile debates. She argued that administrative disputes in the current term had overshadowed the organisation’s core mission of hosting rigorous discussions.
“The Union is an extraordinary institution going through a difficult period,” she told Cherwell. “We need a reset built on open governance, financial discipline and a renewed commitment to protecting free speech.”
Her opponent also pointed to reputation concerns, citing recent incidents where speakers withdrew from debates, including a high-profile India-Pakistan discussion that drew international attention.
Active Role in Advocacy and Documentary Work
Elrayess has served on the Union’s standing committee and has been involved in student organising and advocacy efforts. She also helped produce Heart of a Protest, a documentary capturing pro-Palestine demonstrations in the United Kingdom.
In a previous debate on whether liberal democracy has failed the Global South, she argued that Western powers have used democratic ideals as instruments of influence, a stance that underscored her broader political engagement on campus.
Turbulent Year for the Union
The election comes after a tense period at the Union, where former presidents George Abaraonye and Moosa Harraj faced no-confidence motions. Harraj, from Pakistan, was the second student from his country to lead the society within a year, following Israr Khan’s election in 2024. Pakistani representation remains strong in the organisation’s leadership, with Shahmir Aziz currently serving on the Secretary’s Committee.
A New Chapter for a Historic Institution
Founded in 1823, the Oxford Union is one of the world’s most influential student debating societies, known for hosting global statespersons, authors, academics and cultural figures. Elrayess will take office in April 2026 and said she is “grateful and humbled” to lead the Union at what she called a pivotal time.
She pledged to serve members with “a shared vision” for strengthening the society’s traditions while addressing internal challenges that have shaped recent terms.
Read more: India Withdraws From Oxford Union Debate, Pakistan Panel Arrives Prepared
