Israeli lawmakers on Wednesday voted to advance a bill submitted by the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which would dissolve parliament and pave the way for early elections.
In a preliminary reading, 110 out of 120 lawmakers voted in favor and none against, while the rest did not cast their vote. The bill will now pass to a committee before three more parliamentary readings.
If the bill is ultimately approved it would automatically trigger elections to be held after 90 days. Polls are currently scheduled to take place by the end of the legislative term on October 27.
Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties, while his fractious right-wing coalition appears to be facing possible collapse.
Ultra-Orthodox parties accuse Netanyahu of failing to deliver on his promise to pass legislation that would permanently exempt young men of their community from compulsory military service if they are studying in yeshivas, or religious seminaries.
Sensing an opportunity amid the turmoil, several opposition parties announced earlier this month that they intended to introduce their own bills to dissolve the Knesset.
On Wednesday, coalition chairman Ofir Katz said, “This coalition has completed its days.” He added, “This is the only opposition that caused the coalition to grow. In this term we passed nine budgets and 520 laws.”
The bill does not set a date for elections, which would be fixed during the committee stage. (AFP)
