Israel has narrowly avoided being thrust into a fourth round of elections after Benjamin Netanyahu announced a deal with his coalition partner to delay the country’s budget. The prime minister secured his political survival earlier this year by agreeing a coalition deal with Benny Gantz, but the unhappy alliance was facing imminent collapse over financial matters. Lawmakers had until midnight on Monday to pass the budget or approve a 100-day extension, otherwise parliament would automatically be dissolved and polls set for November. Just hours after the government’s weekly cabinet meeting was scrapped, reportedly over the disagreement, Netanyahu said he had agreed to an extension “out of national responsibility”.“This is the time for unity and not for elections,” he said. Netanyahu’s comments came shortly after Gantz’s Blue and White party accused the premier of manipulation and “spitting in the face of the Israeli public”.“We call upon the prime minister to get in line and come back to seeing the good of the country rather than his own personal good,” the party said in a statement. The two sides had repeatedly traded barbs in recent days, leading to fears Israelis could be heading to the polls yet again. The end of the political deadlock prevents the coalition from crumbling but does not resolve Israel’s financial woes. After the budget was delayed by three inconclusive elections the government has been using last year’s plan throughout 2020. With the coronavirus pandemic sparking an economic crisis, the government has announced additional financial measures such as cash handouts to Israelis, but some experts say such an approach is unsustainable
All data is taken from the source: https://www.theguardian.com/
Article Link: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/23/netanyahu-accepts-budget-delay-avoid-fresh-israel-elections
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