Israel's president picks Eisenkot over Netanyahu to form next government
Written by AI from aljazeera.com's report. Not checked by a person.
President Isaac Herzog has tasked former army chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming Israel's next government, passing over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to build a coalition.
Israel's President Isaac Herzog has asked Gadi Eisenkot, a former army chief and leader of the Yashar party, to form the country's next government instead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Herzog told Eisenkot on Saturday evening, and the mandate is to be handed over formally at a ceremony on Sunday, according to the president's spokesperson.
Neither side won a majority in the October 27 election. Eisenkot's four-party alliance took 48 seats and Netanyahu's right-wing and religious bloc won 53, both short of the 61 needed in the 120-seat Knesset. Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats. In Herzog's consultations, 67 lawmakers, including from Arab-led parties, backed Eisenkot, while 46 backed Netanyahu.
Eisenkot has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to assemble a coalition. He has ruled out governing with the Arab-led parties. Adding the ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas would give him exactly 61 seats. He could also govern with fewer if he wins a confidence vote.
If he fails, Herzog will nominate another candidate. If that nominee also fails, a parliamentary majority can back a third candidate, who gets a final 14 days. If there is still no government, a new election will be called within 90 days, with Netanyahu staying on as caretaker prime minister.
Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List said he expects a minority government with external support from Arab parties. Netanyahu warned that such a government would dismantle Israel from within.
