Israel's Prime Minister-designate, Tzipi Livni, has set an ultimatum: either she will have a new government ready by Sunday or she will call for early elections.
Yesterday, Ms Livni said she had spoken with the Israeli President Shimon Peres and informed him of her decision. She still has 10 more days to put together a parliamentary majority but, faced with stiff demands from potential coalition partners, she seems to have opted to forcing their hands. Ms Livni has secured the backing of the left-of-centre Labour party. Her main obstacle remains securing the support of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party.
An early election could prevent Ms Livni from becoming Israel's first female prime minister in more than 30 years. Opinion polls have indicated that the hawkish Likud party would sweep to power if new elections were held.
