January date for general election

The Israeli cabinet has set January 22nd as the date for elections, writes MARK WEISS

The Knesset parliament is expected to endorse the date later today and then to disperse almost immediately, marking the start of the three-month campaign.

Prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s government had another year to run, but he opted for early elections when it became clear that coalition parties would not back a proposed austerity budget.

Mr Netanyahu told his cabinet colleagues that economic stability will be maintained: “Even during the three-month election period, we will continue to act responsibly . . . to maintain Israelis’ jobs.”

Polls show Mr Netanyahu easily winning a third term as prime minister.