Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has secured the backing of 67 lawmakers, but faces a difficult task assembling a ruling coalition
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced that he will task opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country’s next government, dealing a major political setback to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following last month’s inconclusive parliamentary elections.
Herzog informed both Eisenkot and Netanyahu of his decision on Saturday, and the former military chief, who heads the centrist Yashar party, will have 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a possible two-week extension.
During consultations earlier this week, Eisenkot secured the backing of 67 lawmakers in the 120-seat Knesset, compared to just 46 who recommended Netanyahu. However, the endorsements do not guarantee that he can assemble a functioning government.
Netanyahu’s Likud emerged as the largest single party in the October 27 election, but his right-wing and religious bloc secured only 53 seats, falling short of the 61 required for a parliamentary majority. Eisenkot’s four-party opposition alliance won just 48 seats, leaving the two Arab-led parties, which together control a record 19 seats, holding the balance of power.
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