In Israel, the parliament has dissolved after a protracted power game. This clears the way for a new election – and opens the next round of the political power struggle.
Israel faces another choice. A new parliament will be elected on November 1 in the Mediterranean country of nine million people – for the fifth time in just over three years. Members of the Knesset in Jerusalem unanimously decided on Thursday to dissolve parliament.
The previous eight-party coalition under Prime Minister Naftali Bennett recently lost its majority after just twelve months. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now hoping for a return to power in the new elections.
This Friday, Foreign Minister Jair Lapid will take over the post of head of government for the next few months. This rotation with Bennett had already been agreed in the coalition agreement last year. The extremely unusual alliance was supported by parties from the right to the left – an Arab party was also in the government for the first time. Bennett himself no longer wants to compete in the next election. The 50-year-old announced his retirement from politics on Wednesday evening. He didn’t give any reasons.
Netanyahu wants to be prime minister again
On the other hand, former Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has been accused of corruption, is still in the game: the 72-year-old, who has to answer in court, wants to be prime minister again. According to polls, his right-wing conservative Likud party could become the strongest force again. Netanyahu’s return to office probably depends on finding partners. He has been head of government in Israel several times, for a total of more than a decade and a half.
Israeli media speculate that with Bennett’s departure from politics, an alliance of right-wing parties is possible again. Under Bennett’s leadership, the ultra-right Jamina party has so far refused to form a coalition with the Likud. The past elections had often led to unclear majorities. Attempts to form a government often failed.
With Lapid from the moderate Future Party, for the first time in more than 20 years a prime minister who does not come from the right-wing camp has been in office. That should increase the pressure on the right-wing parties to form a coalition. However, it is unclear whether it could actually come about with “Bibi” – as it is also called in Israel. The 72-year-old had deliberately weakened the government with voting boycotts.
opposition tactics
Even with the dissolution of parliament, the opposition under his leadership did not skimp on tactical maneuvers. She withdrew her support for popular legislative projects such as the construction of a new subway network because she was unable to get her desired October 25 election date. The day might have attracted more potentially right-wing voters to the ballot box, as students at Jewish religious schools are on vacation at this time.
Netanyahu called the coalition a “failed experiment”. His party now wants to give Israel back its national pride, he said before the parliamentary vote. The resolution was actually planned for Monday. However, protracted debates between the government and the opposition delayed the vote.
At a handover ceremony, Lapid praised outgoing Prime Minister Bennett and his work. He was an excellent prime minister, a good person and a friend. “We will do our best for a Jewish, democratic state,” promised Lapid.
According to a report by the Israel Democracy Institute, Israel is the world leader in voting frequency. On average, an election has taken place every two and a half years since 1996. Greece and Spain follow in second and third place.
Source: Stern
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