JERUSALEM—Israeli President Reuven Rivlin is expected on Wednesday to formally ask Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government.
With 10 of the 11 parties elected to the Knesset having presented their recommendations to Rivlin since Sunday, Netanyahu has the backing of 65 members of the Knesset, a majority of Israel’s 120-seat parliament. Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz, in contrast, has just 45.
Netanyahu is believed to be likely to form a government comprised of the Likud (35), Shas (8), United Torah Judaism (8), Union of Right-Wing Parties (5), Kulanu (4) and Yisrael Beytenu (5).
For the first time in Israel’s history, President Rivlin’s post-election meetings with party leaders are broadcast live so the Israeli public can see how the government is formed “in the name of transparency.”
Rivlin will officially announce his decision after the final results of the elections are presented by the Central Elections Committee on Wednesday evening. From that moment, the chosen MK – Benjamin Netanyahu – will have 28 days to form a government .The president may grant a 14-day extension, if necessary before the option to do so is given to someone else.
Netanyahu’s re-election to his fifth term makes him Israel’s longest-serving Prime Minister in the history of the State of Israel since founding father and first leader of the Jewish nation, David Ben-Gurion.
During a victory rally in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said: “I promise to work on behalf of all of you, and on behalf of all the citizens of Israel. I want all parts of Israeli society, Jews and non-Jews alike, to be an inseparable part of the great success story that is called the State of Israel. I want all of you to enjoy the prosperity, the flourishing and the progress. We will continue to look out for everyone; we will continue to deliver prosperity to everyone; and we will safeguard everyone’s security.”
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said in media interviews :“As I see it, Netanyahu is going to put together a coalition that will be busy with fortifying his legal position and in the end will distance Israel from law and democracy.”