Tue Oct 9, 2012, 02:13 PM

iandhr (2,244 posts)

Netanyahu announces early elections

Source: Haaretz

According to estimates, the elections will be held in the end of January or the beginning of February; Netanyahu looking to use his positive approval rate to prevent potential rivals from strengthening their platforms.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced early elections on Tuesday. According to estimates, the elections will be held in the end of January or the beginning of February.

After pushing the "red line" for Iran to the summer in his UN General Assembly speech, sources close to Netanyahu said his statements meant the elections will be held earlier than planned. This, both in order to force a security-oriented agenda on the rivals' campaigns, and because of Netanyahu's concern over U.S. President Barack Obama's likely reelection and fear of diplomatic retaliation for the Israeli premier's support of Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

Netanyahu is also looking to use his relatively positive approval rate and the Likud party's good standing in the polls to prevent potential rivals from strengthening their platforms. Absent a move toward an early vote, the country would go to the polls next autumn.

Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/netanyahu-announces-early-elections-1.468944

10 replies, 1616 views

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10 replies	Author	Time	Post
Netanyahu announces early elections (Original post)	iandhr	Oct 2012	OP
Good. However, I don't share his optimism.	Behind the Aegis	Oct 2012	#1
Is there really that much anti-Netanyahu/Likud sentiment in Israel right now?	villager	Oct 2012	#4
anti-Netanyahu, yes. As for anti-Likud, I am not sure.	Behind the Aegis	Oct 2012	#5
Glad the extremist behavior of the settlers is finally getting Israelis fed up	villager	Oct 2012	#10
I just hope the Israelis are sick of Bibi as much as we Americans are.	Panasonic	Oct 2012	#7
The last poll I saw was from August.	Behind the Aegis	Oct 2012	#8
Hope he loses.	LeftishBrit	Oct 2012	#2
Bibi is a walking dead man (politically) after his failed direct challenge to the US President.	leveymg	Oct 2012	#3
Bye Bibi.	Panasonic	Oct 2012	#6
Good. nt	bemildred	Oct 2012	#9

Response to iandhr (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 02:18 PM

Behind the Aegis (27,658 posts)

1. Good. However, I don't share his optimism.

I think early elections will work against Netanyahu, but he doesn't believe so, so that is all that matters. Looks like Obama may have a new colleague in January/February with whom to kick around ideas.

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Response to Behind the Aegis (Reply #1)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 02:43 PM

villager (18,983 posts)

4. Is there really that much anti-Netanyahu/Likud sentiment in Israel right now?

Last edited Tue Oct 9, 2012, 02:43 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

And who would be the likely next PM, in that case?

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Response to villager (Reply #4)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 02:58 PM

Behind the Aegis (27,658 posts)

5. anti-Netanyahu, yes. As for anti-Likud, I am not sure.

Unknown to most of this board, save a few who are actually interested in Israel for something more than an "bad guy," there is quite a bit of economic strife. Many are quite pissed with the saber-rattling being done when nothing is being done about the economic problems and concerns. There is also a growing animosity toward the settlers, whereas most in Israel usually ignore their antics and them, as of late (past year and a half) their escalating violence has made things worse for the common Israeli.

As for the next PM, I have no clue. I don't know that Livini would try again, but I wouldn't be surprised either. The left is not strong enough to vete a candidate, I don't think. If anything, it is likely to be a moderate to left person. But first we have to see if this going to happen. He has said this before. My money is he is waiting on the results of our election before a set decision is made.

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Response to Behind the Aegis (Reply #5)

Wed Oct 10, 2012, 03:30 AM

villager (18,983 posts)

10. Glad the extremist behavior of the settlers is finally getting Israelis fed up

...Let's hope the stranglehold of some of the far right parties can be broken in a next governing coalition...

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Response to Behind the Aegis (Reply #1)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 03:51 PM

Panasonic (2,921 posts)

7. I just hope the Israelis are sick of Bibi as much as we Americans are.

And Bibi needs to be permanently set aside for a real leader.

Bibi is like a bad version of George W.

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Response to Panasonic (Reply #7)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 04:27 PM

Behind the Aegis (27,658 posts)

8. The last poll I saw was from August.

He was doing "meh." But I don't think he is doing well, which makes this announcement strange IMO.

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Response to iandhr (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 02:29 PM

LeftishBrit (29,616 posts)

2. Hope he loses.

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Response to iandhr (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 02:30 PM

leveymg (26,334 posts)

3. Bibi is a walking dead man (politically) after his failed direct challenge to the US President.

He's being cut off like the proverbial tail that tried to wag-the-dog. Hopefully, Likud will also get clipped.

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Response to iandhr (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 03:50 PM

Panasonic (2,921 posts)

6. Bye Bibi.

Your coalition has collapsed, as predicted.

Move aside, asshole, and you won't get hurt.

Likud needs to be a permanent 1% minority.

Also, Avigdor Lieberman needs to go to prison.

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Response to iandhr (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 07:04 PM

bemildred (67,505 posts)

9. Good. nt

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