JERUSALEM, Dec. 12 -- Israel is heading to an uNPRecedented third election within a year, after a deadline for forming a coalition government expired on Wednesday.
After the deadline passed at midnight Wednesday, the Israeli parliament, or Knesset, dissolved itself and a new election was scheduled for March 2, 2020. Apparently, the political deadlock in Israel has not been broken even after the April and September elections.
Unless the third election produces a dramatically different result, the political stalemate will be further prolonged.
For sitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the election will be another fight for his political survival. Unlike the previous two elections, next year Israelis will go to the polls knowing that Netanyahu has been charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
The announcement of the indictments against Netanyahu last month further plunged the Israeli political system into disarray. While Netanyahu still has many supporters, his political opponents fortified their positions by refusing to partner with an indicted leader.
While Israeli law permits an indicted prime minister to remain in power until a final verdict, the law on giving a candidate the authority to form a government is less apparent. It is unclear whether the attorney general will make a clear statement on the matter before the new election.
"It is likely there will be an appeal to the supreme court," said Ofer Kenig, a researcher at the Israeli Democracy Institute. "If the decision will be that Netanyahu cannot run, this will strengthen his supporters feeling that there is an attempt by the leftist elites to overthrow him."
Following the September election, Netanyahu was not the only one who failed to form a coalition. Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White party, also failed to muster the 61 votes needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
A major change in the upcoming election could come if the Likud party headed by Netanyahu will elect a new leader. Primary elections are expected to be held later this month. Until now, Netanyahu's hold on the Likud has been strong.
"Never in the Likud has a sitting prime minister been ousted from party leadership," said Kenig. "It could happen because this is an unusual situation, but chances are low."
Polls conducted in recent days show no major changes in the political map. While Blue and White appears to strengthen slightly, the right-wing bloc still remains larger than the centrist-left one.
"There is even a chance for a fourth election if this situation continues," said Eran Vigoda-Gadot, a professor of political science and governance at the University of Haifa.
"It is scary and bad for a country like Israel that faces many challenges," he said.
Economists have warned Israelis of expected cutbacks and tax hikes, as economic growth is not expected.
On the streets, most Israelis appear to be largely indifferent to the political stalemate, but it has been a hot topic for debates on the social media.
"Social media is raging," Kenig said. "The streets look apathetic but that's how things are today. The campaign is going to be anything but dormant."
Vigoda-Gadot noted that the Israeli public is very frustrated, "hopefully the frustration will not steer them from voting."
An important factor that could tip the balance in the next election is voter turnout, but analysts expect the turnout to remain largely unchanged in the new election.
"Israeli society is polarized in the midst of a struggle about the future of the country," said Kenig. "There is a camp that wants a more conservative country against another camp that seeks a more democratic liberal direction. The current political deadlock is the culmination of this."
Vigoda-Gadot said that no one could foresee the outcome of the next election and Israeli political process.
"Anything can happen," he said.
体坛英语资讯:West Ham sacks manager Pellegrini
你知道最适合养娃的国家是哪国吗?
体坛英语资讯:Yearender: Top 10 Chinese athletes in 2019
体坛英语资讯:MLS team Toronto FC eyeing PSVs Portuguese winger Bruma
BBC推荐:二月份值得一看的电影
Big Party 盛大的派对
国内英语资讯:Chinese hospitals discharge 1,540 recovered patients of coronavirus infection
国内英语资讯:Chinese vice premier stresses epidemic control in rural areas
国际英语资讯:Poland backs NATO, EU aspirations of North Macedonia: Polish president
国内英语资讯:China deploys measures to improve admission, survival rates in coronavirus battle
体坛英语资讯:Brazilian midfielder Urso joins Orlando City
国内英语资讯:Chinas No. 1 central document prioritizes poverty relief, improving rural weak links
国内英语资讯:Xi stresses law-based infection prevention, control
A Lovely Dog 可爱的小狗
国内英语资讯:Chinese hospitals discharge 892 recovered patients of coronavirus infection
国际英语资讯:Palestinian president, Iran FM hold rare phone call over U.S. Mideast peace plan
国内英语资讯:China coordinates resources to ensure mask supplies amid epidemic outbreak: official
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Trump takes victory lap on impeachment acquittal by divided Senate
国内英语资讯:Race against time to win epidemic battle in Wuhan: Chinese authorities
国内英语资讯:More Chinese medical teams sent to aid epidemic control in Hubei
国际英语资讯:Russian foreign minister to visit Cuba to bolster ties
国际英语资讯:Venezuelan legislative commission to probe alleged wrongdoing by Guaido
Shadow 背影
体坛英语资讯:Argentinian striker Cano joins Vasco da Gama
体坛英语资讯:MLS club Philadelphia Union set to re-sign defender Collin on 1-year deal
打算把卧室墙壁涂成灰色?睡眠专家表示:考虑一下蓝色吧
What is Happiness 什么是幸福
体坛英语资讯:Yearender: Top 10 world sports news events in 2019
国际英语资讯:Barcelona Wine Week gives boost to Spains sustainable viticulture
体坛英语资讯:CBA roundup: Guangdong ease past Shanghai, Beijing rout Nanjing
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |