Netanyahu faces coalition showdown as rivals maneuver to form Israel's next government
Benjamin Netanyahu faces a critical test as President Isaac Herzog decides who will receive the mandate to form Israel's next government.
TL;DR
- President Isaac Herzog is consulting with elected party leaders to decide who will be tasked with forming the next Israeli government.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot secured 48 seats; 61 seats are needed to form a government.
- Netanyahu has stated his aspiration to form a broad government, excluding parties he believes support terrorism or reject the existence of the Jewish state.
- The Joint List and Ra'am, two predominantly Arab parties that secured a combined 19 seats, are seen as potential kingmakers.
- A Joint List source indicated a likelihood of endorsing Eisenkot to be the first tasked with forming a government.
- The lawmaker tasked with forming a government has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension.
- Commentators suggest Herzog will likely task the candidate backed by a majority of Knesset seats, potentially Eisenkot.
- Eisenkot may struggle to form a coalition due to competing interests within the opposition, particularly regarding reliance on Arab parties.
- Experts suggest that if Eisenkot fails, the mandate could pass to Netanyahu, who may also face difficulties, potentially leading to a 21-day period where any Knesset member can attempt to form a government.
- A national unity government is considered a possibility, drawing parallels to a 1984-1988 arrangement, but would require concessions like freezing judicial overhaul plans and agreeing on mechanisms for Netanyahu's potential departure.
- The 26th Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on November 10th, adding a timeline for government formation.