Israel is to hold its fourth elections in two years after the two main parties in its unity government failed to meet a deadline in a row over state budgets.
Voters will now return to the polls in March – only 12 months after the last election was held.The Knesset was automatically dissolved as required by law after a deadline to pass the 2020 state budget expired at midnight.
An 11th-hour attempt to avoid this situation failed after a bill to allow more time was voted down, against expectations.
Two earlier elections were inconclusive, resulting in a government of national unity.
