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Why Israel's finance minister is rushing to approve 2019 budget

Getting the 2019 budget approved would ensure Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon that he has funding to move ahead with his plans, even if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surprises everyone by advancing the election.
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Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon was wearing a bright white shirt and a red tie as he sat down behind his desk Oct. 2 for a video chat with the public. Throughout the entire conversation, the Kulanu Party chairman attempted to relay the sense that he has been very busy lately. He made sure to show off his past achievements and to present his plans for the future. The questions submitted by the viewers came in as he was talking. It was obvious that someone behind the scenes was sorting through them carefully and picking only the ones that would help the finance minister sell his message to his audience.

In this way, Kahlon expressed a measure of reservation against recent decisions by the Supreme Court, including the decision to overturn the tax he wanted to introduce on people who own a third apartment — the flagship piece of legislation in his efforts to reduce housing costs. He also promised that he would resubmit his law to the Knesset in its winter session, which begins Oct. 23.

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