Jerusalem: Israeli President Isaac Herzog has selected former army chief and Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot to form the country’s next government, giving him the first opportunity to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the October 27 general election.
Herzog informed Eisenkot of his decision on Saturday evening. The formal mandate is scheduled to be handed over at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Sunday, November 8, at 5 pm local time.
Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a coalition, with the possibility of an extension of up to 14 days. His selection marks a setback for Netanyahu, whose bloc failed to secure a majority in the 120-member Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
67 Lawmakers Back Eisenkot For Prime Minister
Herzog’s decision followed consultations with political parties represented in the incoming Knesset. Factions representing 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot for the mandate, while 46 lawmakers backed Netanyahu. A seven-member faction did not recommend either candidate.
However, the 67 recommendations do not automatically translate into a functioning parliamentary majority. Eisenkot’s opposition bloc includes parties that have differences over whether they can work with the Arab-led factions that also endorsed him.
The October 27 election produced no clear majority for either side. Netanyahu’s Likud won 27 seats, while Eisenkot’s Yashar party secured 21. Netanyahu’s broader bloc finished with 53 seats, while parties opposed to him held 48. Two Arab-led parties won a combined 19 seats.
Eisenkot Gets 28 Days To Build Coalition
Eisenkot’s immediate challenge is to bring together enough lawmakers to secure a majority in the Knesset. His options include negotiating with Arab-led parties, seeking support from other factions or exploring alternative coalition arrangements.
The Yashar leader has ruled out joining a government with Netanyahu. However, disagreements among the parties that recommended him could complicate coalition negotiations.
If Eisenkot fails to form a government within the allotted period, Herzog may give another lawmaker an opportunity to do so. Netanyahu could still get another chance to form a coalition, while failure by both candidates could eventually lead to another election.
Herzog’s decision gives Eisenkot the first chance to form Israel’s next government, but Netanyahu has not yet been formally removed from office. The outcome will depend on whether Eisenkot can turn the recommendations into a viable governing coalition.
