It appears that coalition partners Likud and Blue and White have reached a compromise on a state budget.
After two days of intensive negotiations, it appears as if the budget will cover one year, as opposed to the two-year budget stipulated by the coalition agreement. The most urgent issues include aid for citizens whose livelihoods have been damaged by the coronavirus closures and long-term plans to address the corona fallout.
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Experts – including the head of the Treasury's Budgets Department and the accountant general – think that at a time of global economic crisis and uncertainty, a one-year budget would be a better option. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports their position, but members of Blue and White were worried that Netanyahu will exploit the dispute and inability to pass a budget as grounds for a new election, thereby thwarting Gantz's chances of serving as prime minister in a rotation.
As the second wave of coronavirus rolls over the country, both sides began to realize that an election was a non-starter and have been active in trying to reach a solution.
On Sunday, Israel Hayom quoted Likud officials, who said that Blue and White could "relax," as Netanyahu had no intention of holding another election.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister-designate Benny Gantz were slated to meet at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the details.
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