The outgoing prime minister has told lawmakers in his party, Yamina, that he has no plans to run in the next election.
The Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett He will not run in the next parliamentary elections, his spokesman announced tonight, shortly before the expected dissolution of parliament, which will pave the way for the announcement of elections in the autumn.
The outgoing prime minister told lawmakers of his party, his Yaminathat he does not intend to run in the next elections.
The Knesset is expected to approve the dissolution of parliament later tonight, ending Bennett’s short term to replace his current ally in the coalition government, the current Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
The autumn elections will be the fifth in Israel in less than four years.
In June 2021, Bennett and Lapid made history, uniting eight parties across the political spectrum to form a government, overthrowing Benjamin Netanyahu after 12 years in power. For the first time, an Arab party joined the government. Shortly afterwards, however, the government lost its majority in parliament, and last week Bennett announced plans to call early elections. The agreement between Bennett and Lapid provided that the two would take turns in the prime minister’s office. In the event of a dissolution of parliament, Lapid would take over as prime minister until elections are held, with Bennett as his deputy.
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