Why is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struggling to form a new government?
At present, he lacks the necessary majority of seats in the Knesset. On paper, 60 MKs support Netanyahu, including representatives from Likud, Kulanu, Shas, United Torah Judaism and the National Union of right-wing parties. However, there are still 60 MKs who oppose him – the entire opposition and Yisrael Beytenu.
Why does Yisrael Beytenu, a coalition partner, refuse to support the new government?
Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman has conditioned his support for the new government on a written agreement from Likud to forego any amendments to the draft law and to allow it to pass second and third readings. The haredi parties oppose this but agree that the government's pledge on the matter of the haredi recruitment quota will be based on a government decision. Lieberman wants this quota commitment anchored in the draft law.
Why did Netanyahu appoint MK Miki Zohar (Likud) to work toward dissolving the Knesset and holding another election?
Netanyahu's deadline for forming a new government expires at midnight, between Wednesday and Thursday. According to the Basic Law: The Government, after 42 days, Netanyahu must notify the president that he failed to form a coalition. Netanyahu fears that in such a scenario, President Reuven Rivlin will task Blue and White Chairman MK Benny Gantz, or a different member of Likud (Gideon Sa'ar, for example) with forming a government. Hence, in an attempt to avoid this scenario, he is calling for the Knesset to be dissolved.
Is the prime minister allowed to dissolve the Knesset less than two months after he has been sworn in?
The law permits this. Basic Law: The Knesset, says parliament can be disbanded and a new election called via a special law. This law needs to pass four readings; the second and third readings need to pass by a majority of 61 MKs.
Can we expect this special law to garner a majority?
Yes. It is supported by all factions in the coalition – comprising 65 MKS – including Yisrael Beytenu. All the parties in the opposition are against such a move, although typically the opposition would back such an initiative to make a political comeback.
After the Knesset is dissolved, can efforts to form a new government continue?
No. According to the law, once a bill to dissolve the Knesset is passed, all efforts to form a new government must be halted.
When will the election take place for the 22nd Knesset?
It can take place at least 90 days after the law passes a second and third reading (Wednesday), to allow the Central Election Committee ample time to prepare. Early estimations place the next election in September, but the exact date will be negotiated by party leaders.
Are the parties allowed to change their Knesset lists before a new election?
Yes. Every recognized party – including those that failed to pass the electoral threshold in the previous election – reserves the right to decide on a new list of candidates.
Several parties (Likud, Labor, Meretz, National Union, and Arab parties) will hold primaries. In Blue and White, Yisrael Beytenu, Kulanu, Shas and United Torah Judaism, there are no primaries, rather an official list is chosen by party leaders.
What is the expected budget for the new election?
The Knesset Central Election Committee's budget for the 21st Knesset was NIS 283 million ($78 million). However, this doesn't include funding for parties within the framework of the campaign law and the overall cost of giving citizens a paid vacation day for the purpose of voting. Overall, the budget is expected to be around NIS 2 billion (around $554 million).
Does the Central Election Committee have enough time to prepare for a new election?
Yes. The committee is highly experienced. However, some committee members will find it difficult to receive another leave of absence from their employers for the next three months.
