Israel’s governing coalition on Sunday announced that the country’s next general election will be held on October 27, 2026, the latest date permitted under law, allowing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to complete a full four-year term.
The vote will be the first Israeli general election since 1988 to take place on its originally scheduled date, underscoring a rare period of political stability after years marked by repeated snap elections and fragile coalition governments.
The announcement comes as the 25th Knesset prepares to conclude its current session, with Parliament set to adjourn on July 17. Before the recess, the coalition is expected to press ahead with several key legislative priorities, including measures linked to its judicial overhaul agenda and proposals benefiting the ultra-Orthodox community.
The October election will determine the composition of Israel’s next parliament and whether Netanyahu, the country’s longest-serving prime minister, secures another term in office. The vote is expected to focus on domestic governance, judicial reforms, the economy and Israel’s security challenges amid continuing regional tensions.
It remains unclear how much it will be able to pass given the tight schedule, which is constrained by the Knesset’s departure for recess this Friday and the fact that plenary debates on bills in their second and third readings can last many hours.
Knesset Legal Adviser Adv. Sagit Afik said during a discussion that there is no need for a law to dissolve the Knesset, as has been usually legislated by the coalition, since the election date set by law is October 27 and there is no intention to shorten the Knesset’s term.
At the same time, Afik recommended formally setting July 17 as the date for the start of the election recess.
(More to come…)
