Herzog to Pick Israel Coalition Builder as No Bloc Wins 61 Seats
Updated
Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Oct 28
Herzog to Pick Israel Coalition Builder as No Bloc Wins 61 Seats
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Oct 28
Summary
Partial results left both Benjamin Netanyahu's camp and rival Gadi Eisenkot's bloc short of a parliamentary majority, putting President Isaac Herzog at the center of government formation.
Next week, after official results are announced, Herzog will consult party representatives and choose the candidate he believes has the best chance of assembling a coalition — not necessarily the leader of the largest party.
Herzog said his aim is to prevent another election and that he would consider options including a Netanyahu-Eisenkot unity government if neither side can build a viable majority.
The decision carries unusual weight because Israel's presidency is largely ceremonial but the law gives Herzog broad discretion, and he has said outside pressure, including from Donald Trump, will not sway him.