Israel's next national election will likely be held on February 10, 2009 after both the ruling Kadima Party and the opposition-leading Likud Party backed that date in talks with Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik on Tuesday.
Kadima withdrew its motion to immediately dissolve the Knesset as technicalities involved in that process could actually delay the election date.
Both Kadima and Likud officials expressed confidence that their party would score a solid victory in the election.