Netanyahu calls for direct elections amid losing vote in parliament
Incumbent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for direct elections to elect a new prime minister after failing to reach an agreement with Naftali Bennett, the leader of the Yemina party.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lost an important vote on Monday over who gets to join a powerful committee in parliament, dealing him a setback as he tries to form a new government following an inconclusive election.
Israeli prime minister on Monday evening, after meeting with the leader of the Yemina party, firmly rejected Bennett's request for the post of prime minister.
"We need a direct election and it is absurd that Bennett becomes the prime minister," he said.
According to Israeli media, Netanyahu has approved the Shas party's proposal to hold a special (direct election) vote to elect a new prime minister to circumvent such a scenario of going to another election which has been recurring in the last two years.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin recently appointed Benjamin Netanyahu to form a cabinet.
Rivlin's move came after the announcement of the final results of Israel's fourth parliamentary election on March 25; Elections that continued to indicate a continuing political stalemate in the occupied territories.
Faced with widespread domestic opposition, Netanyahu continues to insist on holding the post of prime minister in the occupied territories in order to escape trial and imprisonment for corruption.
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