Why will there be early elections in Israel? :
In November 2005, one year before the country's next scheduled elections (November 2006), Amir Peretz caused political upheaval by ousting veteran Labor party leader Shimon Peres. In his first move as Labor Party leader, Peretz announced his intention to pull Labor out of the Ariel Sharon's Likud-led coalition. Sharon: "As soon as it became clear that the existing political framework was falling apart, I decided that the best thing for the country is to hold new elections as soon as possible."
In November 2005, one year before the country's next scheduled elections (November 2006), Amir Peretz caused political upheaval by ousting veteran Labor party leader Shimon Peres. In his first move as Labor Party leader, Peretz announced his intention to pull Labor out of the Ariel Sharon's Likud-led coalition. Sharon: "As soon as it became clear that the existing political framework was falling apart, I decided that the best thing for the country is to hold new elections as soon as possible."
How did Sharon call for new elections?:
Sharon went to Israel's President Moshe Katsav to ask him for permission to issue an order dispersing the current Knesset and calling for new elections in accordance with Article 29 of the Basic Law on the Government. The Basic Law on the Government stipulates that the prime minister can dissolve the Knesset only "with the president's approval." Katsav acquiesced to Sharon's request to dissolve the Knesset, and the president said elections should be held "as soon as possible".
Sharon went to Israel's President Moshe Katsav to ask him for permission to issue an order dispersing the current Knesset and calling for new elections in accordance with Article 29 of the Basic Law on the Government. The Basic Law on the Government stipulates that the prime minister can dissolve the Knesset only "with the president's approval." Katsav acquiesced to Sharon's request to dissolve the Knesset, and the president said elections should be held "as soon as possible".
Why did Sharon resign from Likud and start a new party?:
While Sharon helped found the Likud party in 1973, his moves to disengage from Gaza and parts of the West Bank upset many Likud hardliners. In a televised address, Sharon said, "Likud in its current format cannot lead Israel to its national aims."
"The feeling of relief flooding Ariel Sharon (when announcing his resignation from Likud) was unmistakably like a life prisoner who has been set free, or a woman who finally got a divorce from an abusive husband." (HaAretz, November 22, 2005).
While Sharon helped found the Likud party in 1973, his moves to disengage from Gaza and parts of the West Bank upset many Likud hardliners. In a televised address, Sharon said, "Likud in its current format cannot lead Israel to its national aims."
"The feeling of relief flooding Ariel Sharon (when announcing his resignation from Likud) was unmistakably like a life prisoner who has been set free, or a woman who finally got a divorce from an abusive husband." (HaAretz, November 22, 2005).
How did Sharon start a new party?:
The law entitles Members of Knesset (MKs) to split from their party and form a new faction if they number at least one-third of the faction from which they split. Sharon needed at least 14 MKs to form a separate faction and receive election funding and time slots for television and radio election broadcasts. Sharon recruited 14 MKs from the Likud list. Additional candidates include former Shin Bet security service chief Avi Dichter, and Labor Party figures Haim Ramon and Michael Melchior.
The law entitles Members of Knesset (MKs) to split from their party and form a new faction if they number at least one-third of the faction from which they split. Sharon needed at least 14 MKs to form a separate faction and receive election funding and time slots for television and radio election broadcasts. Sharon recruited 14 MKs from the Likud list. Additional candidates include former Shin Bet security service chief Avi Dichter, and Labor Party figures Haim Ramon and Michael Melchior.
What is the character and platform of Sharon's new party?:
Sharon's party will be a center party. While Sharon lost support in the Likud for his disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, his policies won favor with many Israelis who neither want to negotiate with Palestinians nor rule over them. Sharon's says the new party will abide by the Road Map and fight poverty. It will try to push the Likud to the radical right and Peretz-led Labor to the the radical left (toward outdated socialism).
Sharon's party will be a center party. While Sharon lost support in the Likud for his disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, his policies won favor with many Israelis who neither want to negotiate with Palestinians nor rule over them. Sharon's says the new party will abide by the Road Map and fight poverty. It will try to push the Likud to the radical right and Peretz-led Labor to the the radical left (toward outdated socialism).
When will elections be held?:
Early elections will be probably take place in March 2006. Sharon would like the elections to be held on March 7. Labor Party leader Amir Peretz prefers March 28. The Likud would like to put the elections off until May.
Early elections will be probably take place in March 2006. Sharon would like the elections to be held on March 7. Labor Party leader Amir Peretz prefers March 28. The Likud would like to put the elections off until May.
Why is the election date important?:
Sharon wants elections as early as possible. Major opinion polls show that if elections were immediately, Ariel Sharon would win a third term in office as prime minister and could set up coalitions with as many as 71 seats in the 120-seat house. In contrast, the Likud wants time to reorganize itself. Five leading figures - Binyamin Netanyahu, Yisrael Katz, Silvan Shalom, Shaul Mofaz and Uzi Landau - plan to run for Likud leadership. This internal election may cause new discord in the party.
Sharon wants elections as early as possible. Major opinion polls show that if elections were immediately, Ariel Sharon would win a third term in office as prime minister and could set up coalitions with as many as 71 seats in the 120-seat house. In contrast, the Likud wants time to reorganize itself. Five leading figures - Binyamin Netanyahu, Yisrael Katz, Silvan Shalom, Shaul Mofaz and Uzi Landau - plan to run for Likud leadership. This internal election may cause new discord in the party.
What is the current status of the prime minister?: The law states that a prime minister who has resigned continues in his post until a new government is formed. In effect, he has all prime ministerial powers and cannot be ousted by a vote of no-confidence.
When will the Knesset recess?:
Speaker Reuven Rivlin said the Knesset will recess 90 days before elections, but committees will continue working.
Speaker Reuven Rivlin said the Knesset will recess 90 days before elections, but committees will continue working.
