The leader of Yisrael Beitenu, Avigdor Lieberman, confirmed this Monday that he will back opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot in his bid to form a Government in Israel, a decisive step that strengthens the chances that the former Chief of the General Staff will be the first to receive from the president the mandate to try to assemble the new Executive.
The seven seats won by Yisrael Beytenu will be added to the coalition under construction that is being driven by Eisenkot’s Yashar party, the second most voted list in the elections with 21 deputies, only six behind the Likud of the current prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Lieberman, a veteran of the Israeli political scene, has held as many as five different ministries and has been deputy prime minister at the head of a conservative and Zionist formation that once mainly represented Russian-speaking migrants. Former holder of the Defense and Foreign Affairs portfolios in governments led by Netanyahu, in these elections he has formally positioned himself in Eisenkot’s bloc, although during the campaign rumors have circulated about a possible shift in favor of the bloc of the current head of Government.
In a press conference, he reiterated that he completely rules out joining a coalition with Netanyahu and underscored his role as a possible decisive force in a future unity Executive. "Líders have approached me with the strangest proposals," he said when asked about the speculation that even placed him as prime minister in a "rotation Executive" with Netanyahu.
In addition, Lieberman has proposed that another prominent figure of the opposition, former prime minister Yair Lapid, assume the presidency of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament.
Meanwhile, the country’s president, Isaac Herzog, has given himself until Wednesday for the different forces with parliamentary representation to negotiate among themselves before beginning the official round of contacts with their leaders.
The Presidency has announced that it will begin consultations with the leaders of the smaller parties "to allow a thorough examination of all the options on the table". As early as Thursday afternoon, it will summon the two major formations, Yashar and Likud.
"After concluding the round of consultations, and any other consultation that may be necessary, he will announce the Knesset member tasked with forming a government. Once the President has done so, said Knesset member will have 28 days, as stipulated in the Basic Law," Herzog's office has recalled.
"If more time were needed, the President is authorized by law to grant an extension of up to 14 additional days," adds the statement.