In Israel, the ruling coalition will dissolve the Knesset and call elections

The implosion has been announced. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who are leaders of the coalition of eight ruling parties in Israel, will introduce a bill to dissolve parliament and thus call for early elections. These, scheduled for October 25, will be the fifth in less than four years in Israel.

“We did everything in our power to preserve the alliance”As Bennett said in a public statement to the Israeli parliament. “I stand here with my friend Yasser Lapid, who will soon be prime minister under our agreement.”Mr. Bennett continued. For his part, Mr. Lapid thanked the Prime Minister “Those who put their national interests above their own”. “He is a brave and innovative leader and I have no doubt that he will continue to take his place in the leadership of the country in the years to come.”Mr. Lapid added.

In a statement issued earlier in the evening, they wrote: After exhausting all attempts to stabilize the coalition, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and (…) Yair Lapid decided to pass the law [de dissolution du Parlement] in the Knesset next week..

Broad governing coalition

In June 2021, they assembled a coalition unique in the history of Israel that brought together parties from the right, center and left, and for the first time an Arab formation, in order to end the rule of Benjamin Netanyahu in the prime minister who held the reins of power without interruption for twelve years.

However, the Bennett-Lapid coalition agreement also provided for a rotation between the two men at the head of the government and the replacement of Mr. Bennett with Mr. Lapid, should Parliament be dissolved. Thus, it is Yasser Lapid who should be prime minister during the visit scheduled for July 13 by US President Joe Biden, which is his first visit to Israel since his arrival at the White House in January 2021.

After this announcement, a number of alliance members expressed astonishment. These elections could pave the way for Netanyahu, the leader of the opposition, to return to power. Recent polls still put Likud, the party of the former prime minister, ahead in terms of voting intentions, but without crossing the majority threshold (61 deputies out of 120 in parliament) with its allies from the ultra-Orthodox parties. and ‘far right.