Israeli parliament takes first step toward new election

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem May 19, 2019. Ariel Schalit/Pool via REUTERS

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel moved toward a new election after parliament gave preliminary approval on Monday to a dissolution motion as Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to form a government remained deadlocked.

In order to disperse and set an election date, parliament would still have to hold a final vote that is unlikely to take place before Wednesday, when a deadline for the prime minister to announce a governing coalition expires. Israel last held an election in April.

Reporting by Jeffrey Heller; Editing by Maayan Lubell

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
source: reuters.com