Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar's launch of a new premiership bid aimed at toppling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu through a newly formed party has prompted Likud and Blue and White to intensify talks aimed at avoiding an early arch to the polls.
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Israel Hayom has learned that the two parties – which have been locking horns in recent weeks over the terms of a unity deal that is designed to ensure a rotating premiership – have stepped up their efforts to find a compromise that would break the budgetary impasse that has loomed large of Israel's political world.
Under the power-sharing deal between the two parties, Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz is to replace Netanyahu in November 2021, but a loophole in the agreement would prevent this from being implemented if no budget is passed. Under Israeli law, without a state budget for 2020, the Knesset automatically dissolves and early elections are triggered. Gantz has recently said that if it appears the no budget is reached by the Dec. 23 deadline, he would seek to disperse the Knesset on his own terms in order to have the election held as soon as possible. As a result of this crisis, he has backed a motion to end the Knesset's term, which has moved forward in recent days.
But under the new plan begin discussed between Netanyahu and Gantz, the Knesset's term would be extended by law, and this, in turn, would result in the delay of the legally mandated budget deadline.
Blue and White denied the report of new talks saying that it is "an utter lie." In a statement sent to Israel Hayom the party said: "Someone is feeling the pressure; there are absolutely no talks between the two parties." Likud has also denied that it was trying to stop the dissolution of the Knesset.
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