Israel to hold election rerun after coalition deadlock

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Israel's parliament voted early Thursday to hold new elections only months after April polls in an unprecedented move provoked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attempts to remain in power despite failing to form a coalition.

Parliament voted 74-45 in favor of dissolving itself and setting elections for September 17.

It came as the deadline for Netanyahu to form a coalition expired and followed raucous moments in parliament that saw opposition members chant "Shame!"

The vote was prompted by Netanyahu's failure to reach a coalition deal even though his Likud party, along with its right-wing and religious allies, won a majority of 65 of 120 seats in the April 9 elections.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Memorial Day ceremony in Jerusalem's Mount Herzl cemetery, May 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

In a matter of weeks, Netanyahu has shifted from victory celebrations to tense, behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure his long tenure in power continues, eventually opting for new elections.

The move prevents Netanyahu's nightmare scenario of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin selecting another person to try to form a government, but also sends the country into what is likely to be another divisive election campaign.

Holding elections so close to together will be unprecedented for Israel and the stakes could not be much higher for the 69-year-old premier.

Netanyahu is facing possible indictment for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in the months ahead and is reportedly seeking legislation in the new parliament that would result in him being granted immunity.

He is also on track to become Israel's longest-serving prime minister in July, surpassing founding father David Ben-Gurion – and he is no doubt aware of the weighty milestone.

Source(s): AFP