Israeli President Herzog Initiates Consultations to Form New Government Amid Political Stalemate

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, …

Israeli President Isaac Herzog began formal political consultations on Wednesday to designate a new prime minister capable of forming a government. The process follows a recent electoral cycle that highlighted deep societal divisions, as neither outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his primary challenger, Gadi Eizenkot, secured a reliable majority in the parliament.

Under the established legal framework, the responsibility of deciding which political figure receives the mandate to build a coalition rests entirely with Herzog. Political analysts note that this intricate process could stretch for weeks or months, and carries a tangible risk of ending in a political deadlock that might ultimately trigger fresh elections.

Herzog’s preliminary stance has sparked widespread speculation that he may urge party leaders to consider a unity government. Such an approach aims to restore stability in the occupied territories following an extended period of internal conflict, hardline policies under Netanyahu’s previous administration, and severe societal polarization, though observers remain skeptical about the viability of a unity coalition.

According to the Israeli presidential office, Herzog has scheduled initial meetings with smaller factions before holding high-stakes talks on Thursday evening with representatives of the two largest political blocs: the right-wing Likud party, led by Netanyahu, and the Yashar party, headed by former military chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot.

Neither of the major political factions succeeded in capturing the requisite majority needed to govern independently, as forming a government in the 120-seat Knesset requires securing at least 61 seats. In the recent vote, the coalition led by Netanyahu secured 53 seats, while the rival bloc led by Eizenkot managed to win 48 seats.