Herzog opens government talks after Israel’s election leaves no majority
President Isaac Herzog has begun consultations to choose who should try to form Israel’s next government. Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc and the opposition grouping led by Gadi Eisenkot both lack a parliamentary majority. The president urged compromise after receiving the official election results, with a time-limited coalition mandate still to be assigned.
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Party delegations meet the president
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog began consultations with political parties after receiving the official results of the general election. The meetings concern whom he should ask to form the next government. Parliamentary factions are presenting their recommendations before the president assigns the mandate.[1], [2]
The election on 27 October left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc with 53 seats and the opposition grouping around former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with 48. Two Arab alliances won 19 seats between them. Neither main bloc secured enough seats to govern alone.[1]
The mandate carries a limited negotiating period
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has 120 members; a majority requires at least 61 seats. Herzog has discretion to choose the politician he considers best placed to build a coalition. The person selected has 28 days to assemble a government, with a possible 14-day extension at the president’s discretion. The consultations opened without an announced majority coalition.[1]
Herzog calls for compromise
Herzog urged leaders to accept compromises to avoid another election, telling them that every earlier commitment could not be fulfilled in the current circumstances. He also warned against language smearing Arab citizens. Allegations of foreign interference remain under investigation by the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency. Election officials said those allegations did not justify delaying certification of the results.[1]
