If the government does not submit a budget for 2013 at the opening of the Knesset's winter session in a month's time, the coalition will have to announce early parliamentary elections, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said on Monday. Israel Hayom has learned that Rivlin's statement, which was made during a tour of the Gush Etzion settlements, came on the heels of a meeting he had with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. During the meeting, the two were said to have discussed, among other things, the government's budget and the impending cuts that may be required in light of the growing national deficit. Rivlin was said to be convinced that if coalition partners, especially Shas, do not support the expected upcoming austerity measures, early elections would have to be announced. Rivlin said on Monday that according to the law, the Knesset can take no longer than two months to debate the government's budget, and the government must submit a budget by the end of October. "I believe the prime minister understands one of two things: Either the coalition is behind him and will enable the government to function smoothly until the end of 2013, or he has to notify coalition parties that if they don't want to support the budget, the elections will have to be moved up," Rivlin said. According to the law, elections are scheduled to be held in November 2013, and many politicians believe that if a budget is passed there is a good chance that the government will serve out its full term. On July 18, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said that the budget could be passed if all coalition partners "act responsibly." At that time, Rivlin was quoted as saying that if the budget was not passed before March 2012, Israel would head to elections between December 2012 and February 2013. On the same day, Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that the government would only start deliberating the next budget, which is likely to include serious austerity measures, in September, and if there is no agreement on passing the budget within the coalition, elections are likely to be called some time next January or February.
Elections to be moved up if budget not approved, says Rivlin
Israel Hayom learns that Knesset speaker's comments come after he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday • Rivlin: By law, government must submit a budget by the end of October, or coalition will have to announce early elections.
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