Lapid to become new Israeli prime minister
Israeli lawmakers will vote next week to dissolve parliament_ opening the way for the country's fifth election in three years_ after Premier Naftali Bennett could not contain the rising pressure on his fragile ruling coalition.
Naftali Bennett will step aside to be replaced by Foreign Minister Yair Lapid_ his partner in the unlikely coalition of opposites that ended former Premier Benjamin Netanyahu's record 12-year rule one years ago.
Yair Lapid_ a former journalist who heads the largest party in the coalition_ will serve as interim pm until new elections can be held.
'We are standing before you today in a moment that is not easy_ but with the understanding we made the right choice for Israel_' PM Bennett said in a televised statement.
A vote will be held in parliament next week_ after which Yair Lapid will take over the prime minister_ according to Bennett's spokesman.
However the 8-party coalition_ including hard-right_ liberal and Arab parties with deep differences on questions from religion to the Palestinian issue_ had faced rising strains as its slight majority was cut by defections.
Former Israeli commando and tech millionaire Naftali Bennett_ who entered national politics in 2013. defended his government's record_ saying it had boosted economic growth_ cut unemployment and eliminated the deficit for the first time in 14 years.
But as pressure on the present government increased in recent days_ he was unable to hold the coalition together.
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