Lawmakers in Israel on Wednesday fast-tracked a bill to dissolve the parliament, Knesset and set new elections for March 2. Amid an unprecedented political deadlock, the Knesset has until midnight to vote one of its members as PM or call new elections, the third national vote within 11 months.

The parliament’s Arrangements Committee approved a special expedited legislative process for the dissolution bill, allowing MPs to hold the four required plenum votes and committee amendments process in a single day.

Shortly afterward, the bill passed in its preliminary reading in the plenum, the Times of Israel reported. The bill must pass four readings.

Barring an unexpected announcement of a coalition breakthrough, the bill is expected to pass into law Wednesday night. Israel held previous parliamentary elections on April 9 and September 17. An opinion poll on Channel 13 on Tuesday forecast Blue and White would win 37 seats to Likud’s 33 in the 120-member parliament, increasing the one-seat advantage it gained in the election in April.

Source: RT