Netanyahu and Kalon
Netanyahu and KalonOlivier Fitoussi, POOL

2017 has not yet ended, but the Prime Minister and Finance Minister are already working energetically to approve the 2019 budget early.

At a meeting of the heads of the coalition factions, Netanyahu and Kahlon presented the timetable for the formulation of the 2019 budget and its approval in the Knesset and the government.

According to the schedule presented to the ministers, the budget is supposed to be approved by the government by January 11, 2018 at the latest, so that the bill could pass its three readings in the Knesset before the end of the winter session in March.

The approval of an annual budget at such an early stage is an unusual move. However, the political assessment is that the budget will face hurdles and may not pass in time unless it is brought and approved early.

If the budget is approved according to the plan, it will facilitate the survival of the current coalition, which would complete its term in another two years.

At the meeting, Netanyahu and Kahlon sought the cooperation of all the factions, stressing that it would not be possible to receive excessive budgetary demands during the budget formulation process.