Yuli Edelstein, the Israeli Parliamentary Speaker, on Monday said the country would go to polls on June 10 to elect a new president to replace Shimon Peres.
Edelstein said in Tel Aviv that each candidate would have eight days to gather at least 10 signatures from members of various political parties in order to be in the polls.
“The role of the president is a very important position because the president of the State of Israel is meant to unite the divisions and be a bridge,” he said.
“Unfortunately, and I am sure it is unfortunate for us all, the current race has been defined by mudslinging and de-legitimisation behavior, which in my view has tainted the process and severely harmed this important institution,” he added.
Reuven Rivlin from the right-wing Likud party and Benjamin Ben-Eliezer from the Labour party were considered the two frontrunners.
A media report from Israel said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was considering supporting Energy Minister, Silvan Shalom.
It said unfortunately Shalom was facing sexual allegations and misconduct.
Israel’s presidency is a mostly symbolic position, but the head of state plays a role after each election in tasking a politician with forming the next government.
The president also has powers to pardon criminals.
dpa/NAN.
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