The Israeli president orders Benny Gantz to form a government. 61 of the 120 members of parliament today nominated the leader of the middle party Blue and White as formators. Tomorrow Gantz will be officially assigned the assignment.
That appointment also increases the chance that Gantz will become prime minister, says correspondent Ties Brock. “But it is far from certain that he will also be able to form a coalition. The parties that support him are far too far apart in terms of content.”
Gantz is supported by left-wing parties, the right-wing nationalist Israel Our House and the Arab-Israeli Joint List. The coalition talks are likely to get complicated as a result.
Emergency cabinet
Outgoing Prime Minister Netanyahu had called for an emergency cabinet under his leadership because of the corona crisis. While the prime minister’s right-wing Likud party received the most votes in the elections two weeks ago, unlike Gantz, Netanyahu cannot count on a parliamentary majority supporting him.
President Rivlin welcomed the two rivals to his official residence tonight. Netanyahu and Gantz have been battling for premiership since early last year. Two parliamentary elections ended in stalemate last year.
Rivlin tries to get Netanyahu and Gantz to join a big coalition. But Gantz is still refusing to partner with Netanyahu for the time being, as the Likud leader is suspected of bribery and fraud, among other things.
Process postponed
The Netanyahu trial has been delayed because of the corona outbreak in Israel. Initially, he was supposed to appear in court for the first time on Tuesday, but that will be two months later. The lawsuit against him now begins on May 24. As long as Netanyahu is Prime Minister, he cannot be sentenced.
In Israel, 213 infections with the coronavirus are now known. No people have died from the virus yet. Prime Minister Netanyahu was tested as a precaution, the result turned out negative.
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