MIDEAST-ISRAEL-POLITICS/KEY PLAYERS Key profiles after Netanyahu says Israel could be headed for early election

Record ID: 401203

  • Title: MIDEAST-ISRAEL-POLITICS/KEY PLAYERS Key profiles after Netanyahu says Israel could be headed for early election
  • Date: 2nd December 2014
  • Summary: JERUSALEM (RECENT) (REUTERS) LAPID ARRIVING AT CABINET MEETING, TALKING TO REPORTERS
  • Embargoed: 17th December 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA13PAAKMZP6T9217HMFH560H20
  • Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, embroiled in a cabinet crisis, said on Tuesday (December 2) he would dissolve parliament and seek early elections.
    In a statement from his office, Netanyahu also said he has ordered the dismissal of his Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who both head centrist parties.
    His coalition, dominated by the right-wing, is split on a range of issues, including the 2015 budget, high living costs, policy towards the Palestinians and a Jewish nation-state bill that critics say discriminates against Israel's Arab minority.
    The divisions had prompted speculation that Netanyahu would bring forward an election that is not scheduled until 2017.
    In public remarks to members of his Likud party, Netanyahu had said an early ballot could be in the offing if ministers do not stop undermining him..
    Livni has been highly critical of the Jewish nation-state legislation, which won cabinet approval over her objections a week ago, but has not yet been brought before parliament.
    Other key players who are speculated to benefit from early election are Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and his far-right Israel Beitenu party as well as Economy Minister Nafatali Bennett who heads the ultranationalist Jewish Home party. Opposition leader and Labour party chairman Isaac Herzog is also hoping to gain from the polls.
    An opinion poll published by the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper on Sunday showed that although Netanyahu's popularity was declining, he was still very likely to win a fourth term as prime minister if an election were held today.
    The poll showed Netanyahu's approval rating had slipped to 35 percent, compared with 42 percent at the end of the July-August war against Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip, but he still led the race against other potential contenders.
    The early election could affect the 2015 state budget. Parliament last month gave initial approval to the 417 billion shekel ($107 billion) spending package.
    If there is no agreement and final parliamentary approval by the end of this year, the original 2014 budget, which excludes mid-year increases, will be used to allocate spending next year.
    The last parliamentary election was held in January 2013, with Netanyahu then taking two months to piece together a five-party coalition government.
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