Benjamin Netanyahu faces a difficult coalition-building effort after Israel’s inconclusive election weakened his position in Parliament. His Likud Party remained the largest, winning 27 seats, but it failed to retain nearly a sixth of its representation. The broader hawkish coalition also saw its share of seats fall.
Netanyahu must first receive authorization from Israel’s president to attempt to form a government, something that is not assured. If he receives that mandate, he will need the support of at least 61 lawmakers to remain in power.
One possible route would be to expand his existing alliance of far-right nationalist and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties. That could require persuading at least eight lawmakers from an opposition bloc to change sides, despite its stated goal of removing him from office.
Another option would be a national unity government with Gadi Eisenkot, Israel’s former military chief and leader of Yashar. The center-right party is the largest force in the alliance opposing Netanyahu.
Netanyahu, 77, would need to rely on the parliamentary experience and political capital built during his long career. He would also have to overcome longstanding disputes stemming from years of political conflict and what critics describe as betrayals.
The prime minister’s bloc currently holds five more seats than the main opposition bloc, a politically diverse alliance of Jewish parties led by Eisenkot. However, if Eisenkot joined forces with two predominantly Arab parties that also oppose Netanyahu, the resulting coalition would reach 67 seats and could take power.
Sources: The New York Times World.