Lieberman Rules Out Minority Government, Sets Coalition Red Lines
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, announced his party will not support any minority government, even a transitional one, setting a red line for coalition talks. This stance challenges a reported plan by Gadi Eisenkot to form a government without a 61-seat majority. Lieberman also stated his party would only join a Zionist coalition excluding certain religious and Arab parties, and would not sit with Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman declared Yisrael Beiteinu will not support any minority government, even transitional.
- Lieberman's coalition demands exclude Ra'am, Joint List, Shas, and United Torah Judaism.
- Lieberman stated his party will not sit in a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.
- The announcement challenges Gadi Eisenkot's reported plan to form a minority government.
- Lieberman believes his bloc will achieve a solid majority in the upcoming elections.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, declared on social media Thursday that his party will not participate in or support a minority government, even a transitional one. This statement sets a firm boundary for his coalition negotiations following the upcoming elections.
The declaration comes amid reports that Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Tzionit Party, is considering forming a government even without a 61-member Knesset majority. This possibility was raised by Yoram Cohen, Eisenkot's deputy and former head of the Shin Bet, in a report by Makor Rishon.
Lieberman clarified his stance on a national unity government, stating it must consist solely of Zionist parties, excluding Ra'am, the Joint List, Shas, and United Torah Judaism. He also stipulated that the Likud party could be part of such a government, provided Benjamin Netanyahu does not lead it. "With Netanyahu, the world may turn upside down, we will not sit in any situation," Lieberman wrote.
Lieberman expressed confidence that his bloc will achieve a solid majority in the elections, despite current polls. He suggested that some Likud Knesset members, feeling marginalized by Netanyahu's leadership and alliances with figures like Goldknopf and Der'i, might be willing to join a Zionist coalition to complete the numbers.
Lieberman's firm opposition to minority governments, including transitional ones, contrasts with discussions within the anti-Netanyahu bloc. Cohen had previously suggested that a minority government could be formed and later gain additional Knesset members. Lieberman, however, has consistently maintained that Yisrael Beiteinu requires a minimum of 61 Knesset members for any coalition it joins. He did not rule out, however, the possibility of replacing the Knesset speaker at the opening of the 26th Knesset, two weeks after the elections, as suggested by Tibi.
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