Rivlin: Knesset should be dissolved ASAP

Knesset Speaker says Knesset should be dissolved within the first hours of the winter session on October 15.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin 311 (photo credit: Gabi Farkash)
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin 311
(photo credit: Gabi Farkash)
The Knesset should be dissolved within the first hours of the winter session so an election can take place as soon as possible, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
“There is no doubt that a political ruling has been made, and all of the parties are ready for an election,” Rivlin said during a Succot celebration in Migron, repeating his discussion with the prime minister.
If an election is coming, the Knesset should pass a law to dissolve itself within days or even hours after its winter session begins on October 15, rather than draw out the process over weeks, he added. If that does not happen, the Knesset should only legislate laws that can be passed by consensus.
The Knesset Speaker pointed out that there is an international economic crisis that threatens to reach the State of Israel, saying that, without a budget for 2013, there can be serious socioeconomic ramifications and harm to the weaker sectors of the population.
As such, Rivlin called for an election as soon as possible.
If the Knesset is dissolved on October 15, the earliest possible time to hold an election would be January 15, 2013.
However, echoing statements by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Office, Rivlin said that, although he thinks it should be earlier, he estimates that the vote will be held in the second or third week of February.
Rivlin also predicted that Netanyahu will remain prime minister after the election.