Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition has submitted a bill to dissolve parliament, taking a preliminary step toward holding early elections. The motion, initiated by Netanyahu’s Likud party and signed by leaders of the six parliamentary groups in the governing coalition, allows the government to seize control of the electoral timetable. A preliminary vote on the dissolution bill is expected next week, with reports indicating it could be put to a vote on May 20.
The proposed bill calls for elections to be held no less than 90 days after approval. While the current four-year term must end by October 27, the move could shift the date to as early as late August or early September. This flexibility allows Netanyahu to select a date that may maximize his chances of success.
This action comes as Netanyahu faces mounting pressure and anger from ultra-Orthodox governing partners over a failure to grant military service exemptions. These tensions have placed the fractious multi-party government at risk of collapse, prompting the push for a new electoral schedule.
The outgoing coalition has presided over a turbulent period marked by the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and subsequent wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Recent opinion polls suggest that the coalition, which is composed of nationalist and religious parties, could struggle to win reelection.