Gantz, Netanyahu said weighing delaying budget deadline to solve crisis, avoid elections

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud are reportedly considering a proposal to delay Tuesday night’s deadline to pass a budget in order to find a compromise and present new elections.

The two sides are both weighing the idea of pushing off the deadline by just a few days, Channel 12 news reports. If the budget is not passed by the midnight deadline, new elections will automatically be called.

The report said they were considering passing a quick law postponing the budget deadline for a second time, giving them breathing space to pass more complex legislation regarding the state budget and changes to the current laws anchoring the power-sharing coalition agreement.