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Political parties

Israel's Coalition Crisis: Livni and Netanyahu Lock Horns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Israeli politics is on the verge of a crisis, with two main contenders for power, Tzipi Livni and Binyamin Netanyahu, locked in negotiations to form a new coalition government. The outcome of the general election holds the key to the fate of Israel's next government, with both leaders jostling for support from smaller parties. Despite coming out on top in the election, Livni faces an uphill battle in assembling a majority coalition, with right-wing and religious Jewish parties dominating the Knesset.

Key Takeaways:

  • Livni's Kadima party secured nearly all the votes counted, with 28 seats, but she still faces a difficult task in forming a coalition majority.
  • Right-wing and religious Jewish parties combined hold about 65 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, giving Netanyahu a stronger position to negotiate with smaller parties.
  • Avigdor Lieberman, far-right leader, holds the key to Livni's coalition hopes, with Lieberman demanding electoral reforms and potentially a position as finance minister in exchange for his support.
  • Netanyahu, however, is more likely to emerge as prime minister, according to analysts, thanks to the remaining votes to be counted and his likely support from Shas, an ultra-Orthodox party.
  • Likud officials have ruled out sharing a rotating premiership with Livni, increasing the complexity of the coalition negotiations.
  • President Shimon Peres has been given the task of selecting one MP to form a coalition within 42 days, with the first official results expected next Wednesday.

Statistics:

  • 65 seats held by right-wing and religious Jewish parties combined in the 120-seat Knesset.
  • 28 seats secured by Livni's Kadima party.
  • 15 seats won by Avigdor Lieberman's far-right party.
  • 11 seats won by the ultra-Orthodox party Shas.
  • 42 days given to the appointed MP to form a coalition government.

Sources:

  • "Tzipi Livni holds out hope of forming coalition" by Rory McCarthy, Jerusalem, The Guardian, dated Tuesday [no exact date given]
  • Aluf Benn, diplomatic editor, Ha'aretz paper
  • Avraham Diskin, political scientist, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
  • Ronnie Bar-On, finance minister and Kadima MP

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