Israel’s Knesset voted unanimously on Friday to dissolve itself, clearing the way for general elections on October 27.
From now until the election, the government will operate as a caretaker administration, with limited authority to advance major policy initiatives beyond broadly supported legislation, routine regulatory matters and measures required for security needs.
Under Israeli law, general elections are held every four years.
This will mark the first time since 1988 that elections have followed a full four-year term.
In its final days, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s narrow right-wing religious coalition pushed through a series of bills, including legislation allowing gender segregation at universities, easing restrictions on the detention of ultra-Orthodox Jews who avoid military service, and curbing the powers of the media and the judiciary.
Recent polls published by Israeli media outlets suggest the current coalition parties would win around 50 seats in the 120-seat parliament, leaving Mr Netanyahu short of the majority needed to form another government under the existing coalition structure.
According to the polls, the centrist Yashar party, led by former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot, appears to have the strongest chance of forming a coalition.
However, Mr Eisenkot may need support from Arab parties to secure the 61 seats required to form a government, a prospect opposed by some parties expected to join his coalition.
