Israel's President Begins Coalition Consultations With Smaller Parties
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
President Isaac Herzog began coalition consultations with Knesset factions on Wednesday, prioritizing smaller parties like Religious Zionism and Shas. Most are expected to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu, though Yisrael Beiteinu will likely back Gadi Eisenkot. Herzog aims to explore all government formation options and foster consensus. Consultations continue Thursday with parties including United Torah Judaism and Likud.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- President Isaac Herzog began coalition consultations with Knesset factions on Wednesday.
- Smaller parties like Religious Zionism and Shas are expected to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Yisrael Beiteinu is expected to recommend Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister.
- Herzog is prioritizing smaller parties to explore diverse government formation options.
- Consultations resume Thursday with United Torah Judaism, Otzma Yehudit, and Likud.
President Isaac Herzog commenced consultations with Knesset factions on Wednesday evening to form a new government, adopting an unusual order by prioritizing smaller parties. The Religious Zionism party was the first to meet with the president, followed by representatives from Shas, Yisrael Beiteinu, and Zehut. It is anticipated that Religious Zionism, Shas, and Zehut will recommend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government. In contrast, Yisrael Beiteinu is expected to recommend National Unity Party Chairman Gadi Eisenkot, potentially leading to recommendations for two different candidates for prime minister on the first day of consultations.
President Herzog's decision to begin with smaller parties, deviating from past practice, aims to allow him to first assess a wider range of viewpoints and proposals before meeting with larger factions. The President's Residence stated that this approach is intended to explore additional options for government formation and to foster consensus among parties. Herzog seeks to exhaust political possibilities, broaden the discourse, and examine various pathways for advancing the government formation process.
Consultations are scheduled to resume Thursday morning at 8:30 AM, starting with the United Torah Judaism party. Subsequent meetings will include Otzma Yehudit, the Democratic Union, Ra'am, and the Joint List. Later on Thursday, representatives from Habait Hayehudi, Yisrael, and Likud will meet, completing the planned schedule. In each meeting, the president will hear the faction's position and their recommendation for the Knesset member to be tasked with forming the government. Following the completion of all consultations, and if necessary, after further discussions, the president will announce his decision and assign the task.
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