CRI听力:Israel to Hold General Elections in March

The first reading of a bill to dissolve the Knesset has already been passed, with the final reading expected as early as this coming Monday.

The move to dissolve parliament comes on the heels of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacking Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni on Tuesday. Netanyahu has accused them of working behind the scenes to try to form an alternative coalition.

The latest polling is suggesting Netanyahu should easily be able to form another coalition government if the election were held today.

However, Professor Shmuel Sandler, an expert on Israeli elections, notes the election is still a long way off.

"There is another three months so everything can change. However, if the current numbers hold out, it seems like he will do it. But I'm sure he will also try to bring in a party from the center-left, because he always wants a broader coalition than just right-wing and religious."

Sandler says the political winds in Israel right now appear to be blowing in Netanyahu's favor.

"I think that it will stay very similar to what it is now. It will stay center-right. I don't think Mr. Netanyahu will give in to the right-wing parties. I think he will definitely first try to bring in somebody from the center-left, and even if he doesn't succeed, he will still not change much of what was the policy so far."

Professor Eytan Gilboa with Bar-Ilan University says although Netanyahu appears poised - at this point - to win the election, he should expect to come under significant political attack.

"Netanyahu is going to be the prime target of almost everybody. I don't think that is going to be very easy for him to establish a new government. There is a trend in the country right now which is dissatisfying with the Prime Minister's performance both in security and economic affairs, foreign policy, relations with other countries."

Gilboa suggests the opposition's best chance to oust Netanyahu is to rally around a single candidate.

"The obstacle is every head of the center-left parties would like to see himself succeeding Netanyahu, it's not going to be easy for them to get together, but this is the only chance they have, I think, to get enough seats to form an alternative coalition."

Written By CRI Jerusalem Correspondent Zhang Jin