(Updated Tuesday 10:30AM) Israelis will be going to the polls on February 4, 2003, more than eight months before general elections were scheduled to take place. President Moshe Katzav revealed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's intention to dissolve the Knesset, and call for early elections, at a press conference this morning. Katzav explained that Sharon made his decision because he felt that it would be nearly impossible to implement his national initiatives with a minority government.
Sharon met with Katzav last night and again this morning to get the ball rolling on new elections. Under Israeli law, the Prime Minister must seek the President's approval to schedule early elections, which must take place within a 90-day grace period. Sharon made his decision final after talks to bring the National Union-Yisrael Beitenu party into government collapsed, leaving Sharon without majority support in the Knesset.
Sharon met with Katzav last night and again this morning to get the ball rolling on new elections. Under Israeli law, the Prime Minister must seek the President's approval to schedule early elections, which must take place within a 90-day grace period. Sharon made his decision final after talks to bring the National Union-Yisrael Beitenu party into government collapsed, leaving Sharon without majority support in the Knesset.