Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday called on political parties to do “everything possible” to form a governing coalition and spare the country another vote, as Tuesday’s election produced no clear majority.
Isaac Herzog © Mena Today
Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday called on political parties to do “everything possible” to form a governing coalition and spare the country another vote, as Tuesday’s election produced no clear majority.
“We must do everything in our power to avoid new elections,” Herzog said in a video address. A repeat vote would become unavoidable if no coalition can be formed.
In the coming days, the president will consult party leaders before tasking a candidate with trying to form a government.
The task looks daunting. With most ballots counted, neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc nor the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot comes close to the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset, leaving the Arab parties in a pivotal position.
Israel endured five elections in less than four years between 2019 and 2022, a period of political paralysis that many fear could return.
Israel's Arab citizens appear set to secure a record number of seats in parliament and could emerge as kingmakers after strong turnout in Tuesday's election, galvanized by what they describe as the racist policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to face more constraints as Israel's caretaker prime minister after Tuesday's election, but experts say his government could still retain significant powers including when it comes to waging war on Iran.
Benjamin Netanyahu won the support of an unexpectedly clear majority of Israeli Jews in an election billed as a major turning point in his nation's history, apparently ensuring he will survive as prime minister at least in a caretaker role.
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