Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday failed to meet a deadline to form a coalition government, raising the possibility of his ouster after 12 consecutive years in office. Per reports, Netanyahu conveyed to President Reuben Rivlin that he did not have the required majority needed to form a stable coalition. It is now highly likely that Rivlin will turn to opposition leader Yair Lapid with the task of forming a coalition.
The Israeli president tweeted that Netanyahu’s mandate to form a coalition had expired at midnight and that his office “will contact the parties in the Knesset regarding the process of forming a government.” The prime minister, having received 52 recommendations last month, was tasked by Rivlin to form a coalition of 61 seats. However, given that he was not able to do so within the required 28-day time period, opposition parties can now stake their claims to form a government. Lapid, who received 45 recommendations in April, is being projected as the next suitable candidate to lead the effort.
If the next contender manages to put together a coalition, Netanyahu will have to leave office for the first time since 2009. Over the last four weeks, the PM made intense efforts at forming a coalition; including holding talks with Naftali Bennett’s Yamina party, offering Blue and White leader Benny Gantz the office of PM on a rotation basis, and even proposing direct elections to select the next PM.
However, the inability of Netanyahu’s Likud party to succeed in its task is mainly the result of tensions with his allies. While Netanyahu was willing to partner with the Arab party Ra’am, his close ally Bezazel Smotrich of the Religious Zionist party refused to be a part of any coalition that includes Ra’am. The PM was also not unable to reach a power-sharing deal with former ally Naftali Bennett.
The elections held in March failed to produce a clear winner for the fourth consecutive time since 2019, continuing the political deadlock in the country. Netanyahu’s Likud party managed to win 30 seats, making it the single largest party in the Knesset. However, the PM and his allies fell short of the 61-seat majority required to form a government coalition, by securing a total of only 52 seats. The pro-Netanyahu bloc of parties includes Shas, United Torah Jerusalem, and Religious Zionism, who respectively won nine, seven, and six seats.
On the other hand, the opposition, represented by Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid, Kahol Lavan, Yisrael Beitenu, Labour, and three other parties—including New Hope and the Arab Joint List which won six seats each—managed to secure a total of 57 seats, four short of the number needed to form a stable government. However, when it came to backing a candidate, New Hope and Joint List refrained from endorsing anyone, leaving Lapid with only 45 seats. Despite this, it is possible that these two parties will join the opposition bloc and with the help of Bennett’s Yamina party, which secured seven seats, they could easily put together a stable coalition of 64 seats.
Netanyahu’s failure to form a government also comes as he faces a corruption trial that has drawn a large number of protestors from across Israel demanding his resignation. While dealing with criticism from allies for misusing his position, Netanyahu’s government has also been blamed for last week’s stampede at Mt. Meron which left 45 Israelis dead.
Netanyahu’s Mandate to Form Government Expires, Rivlin Likely to Turn to Opposition Leader
.Netanyahu conveyed to Rivlin, on Tuesday, that he does not have the required majority needed to form a stable coalition.
May 5, 2021
SOURCE: AFP