The opponents of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are racing against time to form a coalition, and the deadline is drawing to a close
Opponents of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are racing against time to finalize a coalition government to end his 12-year rule, the longest of any Israeli prime minister, before the midnight deadline on Wednesday.
Centrist Yair Lapid and ultra-nationalist Naftali Bennett united, and agreed to rotate their prime ministership, with Bennett taking over first, but they are still working on forming a governing coalition that includes parties from across the political spectrum.
Israeli media reported that there were some disagreements over the lower-level political appointments, but it is possible that Lapid will announce an agreement at some point on Wednesday.
Lapid faces a midnight deadline to tell Israel's largely honorary President Reuven Rivlin that he has formed a majority coalition of at least 61 seats in the Knesset. After that, the Knesset will have a week to hold a vote of confidence.
If Lapid does not get the job done by Wednesday's midnight deadline, the country will almost certainly go to a fifth election in just over two years, and Netanyahu will have another chance to hold on to his job while he faces a corruption trial.
Netanyahu's Likud party won the most seats in the March 23 elections, but was unable to form a majority with its traditional allies.
Crucially, a far-right party allied with Netanyahu refused to join a small Arab party that emerged as a "kingmaker."
Netanyahu hopes to extend his long rule and fight corruption charges from the Prime Minister's Office.
It is noteworthy that Netanyahu has emerged as a highly polarizing force in recent years, leaving Israel in a prolonged political stalemate through a series of inconclusive elections.
The emergency government - formed last year between Netanyahu and former army chief Benny Gantz to fight the coronavirus pandemic - was quickly mired in political bickering and collapsed in December. This government is still in place to conduct business.
Source:1
