Knesset dissolved, sending Israel to 4th election in 2 years
Israel is heading to the polls for its fourth election in two years, after the ruling coalition failed to reach an agreement on a state budget in last-ditch talks on Tuesday. The parliament automatically dissolved at midnight (2200 GMT), when the budget deadline expired. The election is expected to take place on March 23.
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 11:08 | 23 December 2020
- Modified Date: 11:17 | 23 December 2020
The Knesset (Israel's parliament) was automatically dissolved early Wednesday after lawmakers failed to pass the state's budget, setting the stage in Israel for the fourth election in less than two years.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and his government partner Benny Gantz, head of the Blue and White party, failed on Monday to pass a bill that delays the passing of the budget.
The deadline for approving the budget was supposed to be on Aug.25, after 100 days of forming the government. The Knesset, however, agreed to postpone the deadline till Dec. 23.
While Netanyahu insisted on having the budget for year 2020, Gantz wanted it to be a two-year budget 2020 and 2021, as agreed with Netanyahu once forming the coalition government in May.
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