Status: 12/09/2022 7:59 p.m
Forming a government in Israel is proving difficult. The future coalition partners are apparently struggling for posts and responsibilities. Prime Minister-designate Netanyahu has now been given an extension of the deadline for the negotiations.
A new parliament was elected in Israel around five weeks ago – and this time, too, forming a government is proving difficult. President Izchak Herzog has now granted Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu ten more days to form a coalition. The government team must now be in place by December 21, according to a letter from the President. According to the law, Netanyahu should have submitted a cabinet list by Sunday at the latest.
Netanyahu had previously requested a two-week extension. The reason given was open questions in the coalition negotiations. In principle, Netanyahu has already reached an agreement with his partners. However, a joint coalition agreement is still pending. According to media reports, there is a dispute over ministerial posts and responsibilities.
An extension of the four-week period for forming a government is not unusual in Israel. The letter does not explain why Herzog only allowed ten more days for this. However, he had previously expressed concern about some of Netanyahu’s personnel decisions and in his letter expressly called on him to form a government that would have to work for Israel’s “entire public”.
Alliance of right-wing conservatives and ultra-right
In addition to Netanyahu’s right-wing conservative Likud party, the right-wing extremist Religious-Zionist Alliance and two strictly religious parties are to be involved in the government. The camp won 64 out of 120 seats in the Knesset in the November 1 election. The looming new government is expected to push through sweeping changes that could also play into Netanyahu’s hands in his ongoing corruption trial. Netanyahu has been prime minister several times.
Several ministerial posts are to be filled with extremely controversial politicians. Itamar Ben-Gwir, convicted of supporting a terrorist organization, is set to become Minister of National Security. Experts also warned of a weakening of democracy in the country.