JERUSALEM, Aug 24 (NNN-MA’AN) – Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced yesterday, he agreed to postpone a looming budget deadline, preventing the fourth national elections in less than two years.
“Now is the time for unity, not for elections,” he said in a broadcast press conference.
Netanyahu said, he will back a bill to push the deadline for approval of the state budget by 100 days. “This compromise deal is the right answer to the Israeli economy at this time,” he said.
Under Israeli law, if the government does not approve a state budget within 90 days after it is formed, parliament automatically dissolves. The deadline this time would have expired tonight.
Netanyahu and the main partner in his power-sharing government, Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, should have to agree on the national budget by midnight.
The new bill would give them 100 more days to reach an agreement over the budget.
Netanyahu is facing a criminal trial over charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, in three separate cases. He has denied any wrongdoing.
His trial began in June, but he refused to step down from office, despite weekly protests, where tens of thousands of Israelis across the country call him to resign.– NNN-MA’AN
