The Israeli Parliament (Knesset) Law Committee voted overwhelmingly Monday to hold national parliamentary elections on January 28, 2003.
The date was mandated by a law requiring elections to be held within 90 days after Israel's President dissolved the Knesset when Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could not form a new majority government following the departure of the Labor Party from his coalition.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the committee had the authority to move the day up, and Sharon's Likud Party had pushed for balloting to be held as early as January 14. But other parties, notably Labor and the orthodox Shas, objected to holding the election so early.
The January 28 date was set by an overwhelming show of hands at a 10-minute committee meeting held Monday morning at the Knesset. It is still not known who will head Israel's two main political parties in the elections. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
