Updated September 22nd, 2019 at 20:55 IST
Israeli president begins talks to form new government
Israel’s President, Hassan Rouhani faces a difficult task and said he will begin consultations on September 22 with all of the parties elected to parliament
Advertisement
Israel’s president, Reuven Rivlin, says he will begin consultations on September 22 with all of the parties elected to parliament. Rivlin’s announcement Sunday is the first step toward what officials hope will be the formation of a new government after elections this week. Under Israeli law, the president meets with leaders of each party, who recommend to him who they think should be prime minister.
READ | Iran Says It Will 'destroy Any Aggressor' As Tensions Grips The Gulf
Meeting now with @jdgreenblatt45, Special Representative for International Negotiations, discussing current challenges and opportunities. Thank you, Jason, for your efforts to promote regional understanding and trust. May your efforts be fruitful and continue with the next envoy pic.twitter.com/vNqaNz9tnY
— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi)
President Rivlin faces a difficult task
Rivlin then chooses the politician he thinks has the best chance of forming a stable coalition. The prime minister-designate gets six weeks to form a government. Rivlin faces a difficult task. Neither of the two largest parties, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud and challenger Benny Gantz’s Blue and White, have a clear path to a majority. The consultations are expected to last two days.
In response to inquiries following the exit polls,
— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi)
President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin will meet representatives of the parties elected to the Knesset for a round of consultations after he receives a clear picture of the results, and as soon as possible. 1/4
READ | 'Iran Will Destroy Saudi Arabia' In Any War, Warns Hezbollah Leader
Israel’s president will consult in the coming days with all parties
Israelis are coming to grips with an uncertain political future two days after an election that left the country’s two main political parties deadlocked and with no clear path to a coalition government. With nearly 95 per cent of votes counted Thursday, the Blue and White party stood at 33 seats in Israel’s 120-seat Parliament. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud stood at 32 seats. But with the election’s apparent kingmaker, Avigdor Lieberman, insisting on a secular government between the two, and Blue and White refusing to sit in such a coalition with Netanyahu still heading Likud, it was unclear what the way forward may be. Israel’s president will consult in the coming days with all parties before selecting the candidate he believes has the best chance of forming a stable coalition.
READ | Iran Envoy Warns Of ‘all-out War’ If US Or Saudi Arabia Attack
READ | Iran Warns US Of Response To Any Action Over Saudi Attack
Advertisement
Published September 22nd, 2019 at 15:56 IST