Netanyahu orders Likud MKs to vote in favor of budget delay

Netanyahu, in a video, says he instructed Likud lawmakers to vote in favor of the budget postponement, apparently lifting the threat of elections.

“I will continue to do the right thing, to avoid unnecessary elections,” he says.

Blue and White is also expected to back the 100-day delay.

The crisis seems to be over, unless coalition lawmakers skip the vote and compromise the government’s majority. The vote must still be held before midnight or the government automatically dissolves on account of its failure to pass a state budget by the August 25 deadline.

The fight on Monday pivoted from the budget to Netanyahu’s hold over judicial appointments. In the video, the prime minister admits he did not get his way on the issue of appointments, but denies he’d personally intervene in the appointments of the next state prosecutor or attorney general.

In the backdrop of the complicated political drama is Netanyahu’s believed desire to dissolve the government before he must hand over the premiership to Gantz next winter under their rotation agreement. The prime minister’s “exit ramp” to do so is largely based on the budget, since a failure to pass it triggers elections.

The budget delay means the government must pass it by December 23. Analysts predict Netanyahu could again try to topple the government at that time.