In an unusual move reflecting the difficulty of forming a government after Israel’s elections, President Isaac Herzog has decided to begin consultations with the smaller parliamentary parties and leave the two largest for last.
The meetings will begin on Wednesday, November 4, with the Religious Zionism–Zehut party and will conclude on Thursday evening with Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud. Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar will be the penultimate party Herzog meets.
According to the Presidency, the change in order is intended to allow all possible combinations for government cooperation to be explored before the president hears the positions of the larger parties. The aim is to consider alternatives and encourage a way out of the political deadlock.
Avoiding new elections
Herzog has not ruled out a second round of consultations if he determines that there is room for an agreement.
During the meetings, representatives of the 11 parties elected to the Knesset will name the person they want to be tasked with forming a government.
The president is not required to give the mandate to the leader of the largest party or to the person who receives the most recommendations. He may assign it to the person he believes has the best chances of forming a government.
The person tasked with forming a government will have 28 days, with the possibility of an extension of up to 14 additional days. Herzog’s initiative is seen as an effort to avoid new elections, while the possibility of a prolonged political impasse remains open.
Source: CNA
