21 Apr 2021; MEMO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a direct vote for the post of prime minister to end two years of political deadlock in the country, Israeli media reported on Monday.
"There is a solution to the political stalemate, and the vast majority of the public supports it," Netanyahu told members of parliament from his Likud party.
A direct vote for prime minister would avoid "assembling absurd governments" and would allow Israeli citizens to choose a leader in "snap elections, without dissolving parliament", he explained.
Netanyahu, head of the largest party in the Israeli parliament, has until 4 May to form a coalition government.
Smaller parties hope that he will not succeed in order that they may be given a chance to come together and form an alternative one.
The successful bid would need 61 seats in the Knesset to pass.
Israel has held four elections in two years, none have brought about a clear winner for government, and coalitions formed have collapsed during this period.
