Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., October 26, 2008 Tishrei 27, 5769 | | Israel Time: 02:45 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Peres Center Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 02:44 26/10/2008
ANALYSIS / When are elections and what can be expected in the Knesset until then?
By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent

Advertisement
The first is enshrined in Basic Law: Government. Under this path, Shimon Peres has three days for thought and consultation from the moment that Tzipi Livni tells him she has failed to form a coalition. At the end of the three days, Peres will be expected to inform the Knesset speaker that there is no possibility to form a government.

Following this announcement, three weeks are then given in which any of the 120 MKs can attempt to form a government coalition. During this period, a request can be made to the president to appoint an MK to establish a government, if the request has the backing of 61 MKs.

If no such request is made, the president must inform the Knesset speaker, and 90 days leading up to an election would then begin. The election would take place on the last Tuesday of the 90-day period, that being February 17.

The second possibility is that the heads of the Knesset factions will agree on a specific day for elections, and pass a law to determine this day. Although this is a relatively simple procedure, it appears unnecessary at this stage.

February 17 is a relatively early date, and it does not appear that anyone will make a push to bring the date further forward. It is also doubtful any MK would want to be perceived as having an interest in delaying the elections.

Legalized anarchy in the Knesset a cause for concern

The Knesset faces a month of activity during which the coalition will not command a majority, creating the potential for legislative anarchy. The main question now is if the factional heads will agree on setting rules to prevent underhanded opportunism in regard to the budget.

The transition government can anticipate an awkward opening to the winter session, when outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert delivers the opening address. The prime minister generally presents their government and program for the next six months at the opening session, but what program can Olmert possibly present?

Opposition factions moved motions of no confidence against the government during the last week of the summer session, in order to be able to discuss them in the first week of the winter session. However, the motions were destroyed as expected after it was agreed that there is no need for no-confidence motions against a transition government.



Related articles:
  • Livni set to tell Peres: Israel to hold elections
  • ANALYSIS / Shas leaders think Livni can't give them what they want
  • Livni camp: Shas has deceived the entire country
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Ugly becomes uglier
    Report: Pennsylvania Republicans email likens voting for Obama to rise of Hitler.
    Mr. Wobbly Man
    Dennis Ross explains why he's working for Obama and how he'd talk to Iran.
     Read & React
    Bradley Burston: When Sarah Palin runs for president
    Responses: 182
    'Hit a Jew Day' lands St. Louis students in hot water
    Responses: 312
    New Gallup poll shows 75% of U.S. Jews plan to vote Obama
    Responses: 121
    Peres in Sharm el-Sheikh: Saudi plan can bring peace to Mideast
    Responses: 131
    U.S. Muslims relieved by Powell's attack on anti-Islam rhetoric
    Responses: 210
    Anshel Pfeffer: Should Pius XII be made a saint? Leave that to the Vatican to decide
    Responses: 88


    More Headlines
    02:41 Livni to Haaretz: I will go to elections
    02:44 ANALYSIS / When are elections and what can be expected in the Knesset until then?
    19:20 Report: Bush to declare renewal of ties with Iran
    15:01 Nasrallah: Rumors I was poisoned are 'psychological warfare'
    17:29 Palestinian security forces deploy in Hebron
    15:15 Report: Pennsylvania Republicans email likens voting for Obama to rise of Hitler
    01:58 NY Times: U.S. providing light arms to Lebanese military
    22:53 Bradley Burston / When Sarah Palin runs for president
    22:16 Academic year sees more students in colleges, fewer in universities
    17:36 Dennis Ross on why he's working for Obama and how he'd talk to Iran
    19:45 Ex-Finnish president, Nobel laureate slams boycott of Hamas
    17:34 World's richest Jew loses billions in wake of global financial crisis
    13:10 Three killed in Egypt-Gaza smuggling tunnel collapse
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Living in Israel Studying in English
    Click & Meet our students from all around the world
    Dial 013 for your long-distance calls
    and get all your money back
    US CITIZENS
    Vote for real change. Request your ballot today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved
    6 -->