Liberman Aims for 61-Seat Coalition Without Arab Parties
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Avigdor Liberman, president of Yisrael Beiteinu, is backing Gadi Eisenkot for Prime Minister and insists on forming a 61-seat majority coalition to oust Benjamin Netanyahu. Liberman ruled out relying on Arab parties or a minority government, believing it would lead to Netanyahu's return. His proposed coalition includes Eisenkot's bloc and two ultra-Orthodox parties, though this remains uncertain.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Liberman supports Gadi Eisenkot for Prime Minister and aims for a 61-seat coalition.
- Liberman rejects minority governments and reliance on Arab parties, citing instability.
- He believes a 61-seat majority is the only way to permanently remove Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Liberman's proposed coalition includes 48 seats supporting Eisenkot and 13 from ultra-Orthodox parties.
- The plan faces challenges as Shas supports Netanyahu and UTJ has not recommended a candidate.
Avigdor Liberman, president of Yisrael Beiteinu, reiterated his support for Gadi Eisenkot for Prime Minister on Tuesday, while firmly rejecting the formation of a minority government reliant on Arab parties. Speaking in the Knesset, Liberman expressed confidence in assembling a 61-seat majority coalition, which he believes is the only way to permanently remove Benjamin Netanyahu from power. "I am working to end Netanyahu's reign, once and for all. Not to end it temporarily," Liberman stated. He argued that a minority government would quickly collapse, leading to new elections that would favor the incumbent.
Liberman outlined his preferred scenario: uniting the 48 seats supporting Gadi Eisenkot with the 13 seats from the ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism (7 seats) and Shas (6 seats). This combination would reach the 61-seat majority needed in the Knesset. However, this path faces uncertainty, as United Torah Judaism has not recommended a Prime Minister candidate, and Shas has endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu.
Liberman also ruled out any reliance on Arab parties, even temporarily, or if only United Torah Judaism joined the coalition. "I will not participate in a government that depends on the support of Arab parties," he insisted, deeming such an arrangement unsustainable. He acknowledged that his initial preference was a coalition without the Orthodox parties, but stated, "we only got 48 seats," necessitating the search for new partners.
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