Netanyahu calls for quick elections

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JERUSALEM, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday he is calling an early election because Israel's governing coalition will not be able to agree on a budget.

The election would be held at least three months after the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, is dissolved, The Jerusalem Post reported. That would probably mean after mid-January with Feb. 13 a likely date.

In his televised announcement, Netanyahu said a drawn-out campaign could hurt Israel's security, YnetNews said.

"A shorter election campaign season is preferable over a longer season that could seriously hurt the State of Israel," he said. "After four years, we are moving towards elections."

While Netanyahu said Israel has done better than many countries during the global economic slump, with continued growth and low unemployment, he said the country needs a responsible budget.

Netanyahu heads the right-wing Likud Party. The government includes several even more conservative parties and the Labor Party.

The government took power in early 2009.