Herzog to Task Eisenkot With Forming Government Sunday Amid Coalition Doubts

Despite the clear numerical advantage for Eisenkot, President Herzog emphasized that his legal authority requires him to assess the actual ability of a candidate to form a stable government, which he described as currently unclear. Herzog noted that mutual disqualifications, rejection campaigns, and exclusion among political blocs, as well as within the camps themselves, complicate the prospects of assembling a coalition. To clarify this ability, the President plans to hold brief, personal talks with several party leaders over the coming days, stating his intention to turn over every stone to facilitate a stable government.

Coalition negotiations are expected to be highly complex. Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, has already stipulated that he opposes the inclusion of ultra-Orthodox parties in the next government. Meanwhile, Arab party representatives have demanded the election of a new Knesset speaker at the first parliamentary session. Eisenkot's Yashar party welcomed the recommendation results, stating that citizens voted for change, and warned that a failure to form a government could lead to costly new elections.