Lieberman May Seek to Form Government Amidst Coalition Stalemate
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, is reportedly preparing to try and form a government, as factions in the "Change Bloc" believe Gadi Eisenkot will fail. The "Change Bloc" factions have a general agreement on procedural steps but disagree on the Knesset Speaker. The Likud party is angered by the opposition's potential move to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating it would prevent a unity government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman may attempt to form a government if Gadi Eisenkot fails, according to a report.
- The "Change Bloc" factions have a general agreement on procedural steps but not the Knesset Speaker.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu warned against the opposition electing a new Knesset Speaker.
- The opposition and Arab factions could use their majority to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.
- The inability to reach agreements is hindering government formation efforts.
Political correspondent Nadav Elimelech reported on i24NEWS that within the "Change Bloc" factions, there is a growing assessment that Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, will not succeed in forming a government, even if he is the first to receive the mandate from the President. Due to the inability to reach agreements, Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman is expected to attempt to form a government himself.
According to Elimelech's report, most "Change Bloc" factions have a basic agreement to advance a vote for the Knesset Speaker and the establishment of the Arrangements Committee, alongside setting a date for a repeat election for the State Comptroller and forming a state commission of inquiry. However, the report clarified that legally, the factions would find it difficult to advance legislation unrelated to government formation. Furthermore, Elimelech understands that Lieberman does not share these agreements, and the identity of the designated Knesset Speaker remains undecided.
Conversely, the possibility that the opposition bloc and Arab factions will use their 67-member majority to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana is causing significant anger within the Likud party. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly making it clear in closed conversations with his party members that such a move would end any possibility of forming a unity government, stating, "We will not go to a broad government if they choose a Knesset Speaker."
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