Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu presenting to the press as a Likuss campaign], his economic plans if he be elected 2 weeks before the elections in Tel Aviv Stock exchange building, Tel Aviv, Israel on Feb 16th, 2020. (PHOTO / BLOOMBERG)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial will begin March 17, according to an emailed statement from a judiciary spokesman.

The Israeli leader has been indicted in three influence-peddling cases, and charges include bribery and fraud. His trial is set to begin just two weeks after he faces voters in an election on March 2.

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Netanyahu failed to secure victory in a pair of deadlocked elections last year, and polls ahead of the latest ballot show him failing to form a government with his right-wing and religious allies. He is charged with accepting lavish gifts from wealthy friends and scheming with media moguls to trade regulatory favors for positive news coverage.