Just over a month after a national election, Israelis are heading back to the polls after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was unable to form a coalition to gain a majority in the legislative branch of government.
Netanyahu had 48 days to form a coalition with other parties to gain the 61 seats needed to make up a majority in Israel’s 120-seat parliament called the Knesset. However, Netanyahu and his Likud party were unable to gain a majority because of former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beiteinu party holds five seats, held out on joining Netanyahu because he wants a new bill mandating a quota of ultra-Orthodox men to serve in the military like most Israeli men have to do, which Netanyahu’s ultra-Orthodox allies oppose.
This left the Knesset in a gridlock with Netanyahu only having 60 seats. Usually, in this situation, the President, Reuven Rivlin, would appoint a Knesset member to form a new government. However, to stop Rivlin appointing a new leader, a bill was passed that dissolved the parliament and triggered a new election which is set to be held on September 17.
Why This Matters
This will be the first time in Israel’s democratic history that an election is called twice in the same year. An election is an expensive ordeal and could cost around USD $130 million and take months, leaving the legislative branch unable to pass any new policy until a new government is formed.
Once a new election is held, it is up to the winner to once again try and form a majority coalition within 28 days of the election.
Netanyahu is currently being charged with multiple counts of corruption and was trying to form a Knesset that would grant him immunity. With his preliminary hearing set for October, the new election, which he is expected to win according to recent Ma’ariv polling, would allow Netanyahu another try at setting up a government that will forgive his charges.
Israel’s Attorney General indicted Netanyahu on one count of bribery and three counts of breach of trust in February following a two-year investigation. The charges relate to deals allegedly made between Netanyahu and multiple news outlets for positive coverage in return for benefits, as well as bribes he received such as champagne and cigars.
More on the Subject
Most Israelis recognize their prime minister’s shortcomings, which have been well documented in the press since before the advent of his current legal troubles. On the other hand, the country has been reasonably secure in recent years, the economy has done very well, and the government can boast of numerous diplomatic and trade accomplishments. Aside from Iran, there are no serious military threats.
In many ways, Israel, still young at 71, has matured considerably during the Netanyahu years. The very challenging early years of statehood are now a distant memory as the country struggles with many of the issues that challenge other developed states, Harold Waller, Professor of Political Science Emeritus, McGill University, wrote in The Globe Post.