Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference on Sept. 11, 2012.
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's prime minister has ordered new parliamentary elections in early 2013, roughly eight months ahead of schedule.
In a televised address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was forced to order the vote after his coalition could not agree on a budget.
But conditions are ripe for Netanyahu's re-election. Riding high in opinion polls, he faces no serious challenger and could be eager to win a new term ahead of what is expected to be an economic slowdown next year.
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Netanyahu began his address Tuesday with a list of his accomplishments, saying his government had boosted security and improved the economy.
He did not set a date, but said it would be "preferable to have as short a campaign of possible" and hold the vote in the minimum three months.
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