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Israel set to hold an unprecedented third election in a year as stalemate continues

Israel went to polls twice this year, in April and September. But the leading political parties failed to form a coalition government on both occasions.

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New Delhi: Israel is heading towards an unprecedented third general election within a year’s time after yet another post-election deadlock.

The country has already gone to polls twice this year, in April and September. But the leading political parties have failed to form a coalition government on both the occasions.

Now, Israel will likely be going to the polls for the third time in March next year.

While it has always had a coalition government, this year has been the first occasion when parties failed to reach an agreement.

What happened after the September elections?

Much like April, the September elections also led to a split verdict.

“In September, Mr (Benny) Gantz’s centrist Blue and White alliance won 33 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Mr Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party got 32 seats,” a BBC report notes.

Both leading parties, Gantz-led Blue and White and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu-led Likud, couldn’t gather enough partners to form a coalition government.

“With neither party able to build a coalition that could command a 61-seat majority, President Reuven Rivlin called on them to form a national unity government,” adds the report.

Their efforts to form a unity government — which would have seen the two parties come together — also failed to materialize.

Now opinion polls show that Likud and Blue and White party are likely to get 37 and 33 seats, respectively, in the next elections.

Netanyahu’s legal troubles

These developments come amid Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing legal battle.

In November, the country’s attorney general filed charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of public trust against the PM. Though the Netanyahu has denied the charges, he needs a parliamentary majority to pass legislations that would grant him some form of immunity.

“Whatever the case, this certainly is uncharted territory. It’s the first time a sitting prime minister in Israel has been indicted with criminal charges. And it comes in the midst of an unprecedented political stalemate,” reports BBC.


Also read: Treating Israel as a state above law has only encouraged it: Palestinian envoy Abualhayjaa


 

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