Eisenkot most likely to become Israel’s next prime minister

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival in the recent parliamentary election, with forming a new government.

Eisenkot is a former Israeli military chief and leader of the Yashar Party. Amid the ongoing political deadlock following the election, President Herzog has bypassed Netanyahu and given Eisenkot the opportunity to form the next government.

A spokesperson for President Herzog said in a statement that Eisenkot was informed of the decision on Saturday evening local time. The president will formally assign him the task of forming a government on Sunday.

Israel held elections to the Knesset on October 27. No political bloc secured an outright majority. Herzog subsequently held talks with various political parties this week to determine who would get the opportunity to form the next government. Netanyahu also continued his efforts to build a coalition.

A candidate needs the support of 61 lawmakers to form a government. Eisenkot’s Yashar-led bloc has the backing of 67 lawmakers, while 46 lawmakers have expressed support for Netanyahu’s coalition. Arab-led parties are backing Eisenkot.

Under the rules, Eisenkot will have 28 days to form a government. The deadline may be extended by another 14 days if necessary.

During this period, political parties will negotiate over policy demands and ministerial positions. Eisenkot will seek to secure the support needed to govern.

However, Eisenkot may fail to form a government. In that case, the president will invite another member of the Knesset to try to form a government. The second candidate will also have 28 days.

If that candidate fails as well, a majority of Knesset members may nominate a third candidate, who will be given 14 days to form a government. If the political deadlock continues, the Knesset will be formally dissolved and fresh elections will be held.

The election must take place within 90 days. During this period, a caretaker government will run the country, with Netanyahu remaining as its head under the rules.

The Knesset has 120 seats, and a majority requires 61. In the October 27 election, Eisenkot’s four-party alliance won 48 seats, while the right-wing and religious coalition led by Netanyahu secured 53. Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats.

Although Eisenkot had earlier ruled out forming a government with Arab-led parties, their support would bring the total backing for his bloc to 67 seats.

Netanyahu, leader of the Likud Party, has served as Israel’s prime minister for nearly 19 years. He has remained at the centre of Israeli politics over the past three decades, weathering numerous political crises. Source: Al Jazeera.