With early elections becoming a distinct possibility, chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee MK Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) spoke this morning about the budget required to hold elections, which he estimates at NIS 400 million. Gafni told "Globes" that this was a very high cost that was planned as part of the 2013 budget allocation but now if the elections are brought forward it will be taken from this year's part of the state budget. He said, "There is no doubt that reforms will be frozen and there will be a need to find a budget source for this."

Gafni told "Globes" that above and beyond the NIS 400 million that will come directly from the state budget to hold elections, there will be other major sums allocated to the subject such as a day's paid vacation for all employees and other expenditures.

Gafni declined to say whether he was for or against bringing the elections forward but he said, "Common sense will make the calculation as to whether it is worth paying this amount if there was a likelihood of changing the government but there is no such possibility and the parties must decide if this is the time to go to elections."