Liberman says ‘no’ to narrow govt, third elections inevitable
Yisrael Beiteinu chairman, Member of Knesset (MK) Avigdor Liberman on Thursday announced he would not join a narrow government, and after his attempts to leverage a unity government failed, a third round of elections within a year seems inevitable.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beytenu Party, speaks at the second Keshet and News 12 influencers’ conference, which takes place at Tel Aviv’s Conventions Center in Ganei HaTaarucha. Tel Aviv, Sep 5, 2019. Photo by Kobi Richter/TPS
Several days ago, MKs from Yisrael Beiteinu pressured Liberman to join a right-wing narrow government, and in response, he said he was not sure what he would do. In the latest development, Liberman took the option of a narrow coalition off the table when he stated he would not join the right nor the left in a narrow government.
Liberman has previously been part of a similar narrow right-wing government but has decided that circumstances have changed, and therefore now opposes such a government.
He explained that Israel faces dramatic security and economic decisions, and a narrow government could create a major divide and exacerbate polarization in the public.
“A narrow government would be a complete failure, it would be a government of constant friction,” he said.
Liberman has been advocating for a unity government that would bring together the two largest parties, Blue and White and Likud. However, months of negotiations between the parties’ representatives have not yielded an agreement that would pave the way for the establishment of a unity government.
President Reuven Rivlin first invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to establish a government, and after he was unable to form a coalition, the mandate was given to MK Benny Gantz, who failed to do so as well.
“Unfortunately, both of them [Gantz and Netanyahu] made a strategic decision to not go for unity, and therefore the two parties are responsible for another round of elections,” Liberman charged.
The mandate to form a government is currently held by the Knesset, which must nominate a candidate who will attempt to assemble a coalition.
If no MK gathers support from at least 61 MKs by December 11, elections will be called for the third time in less than a year.
Likud says Netanyahu is willing to serve only six months in a Rotation with Gantz .
All is needed is for the legal people to draw up an agreement .
They ought have the capacity .