Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Perfil

WORLD | 21-10-2019 17:46

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unable to form coalition

The sitting president says he worked “tirelessly” to establish a union government, but to no avail. His opponent, Benny Gantz, will now get the chance to try.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday he had failed to form a majority government in parliament, marking a major setback for the embattled Israeli leader that plunges the country into a new period of political uncertainty.

In a statement, Netanyahu said he had worked "tirelessly" to establish a unity government with his chief rival, former military chief Benny Gantz, but had been repeatedly rebuffed. Facing a Wednesday deadline, Netanyahu said he was returning the "mandate" to President Reuven Rivlin, who will now ask Gantz to try to form a coalition. 

Gantz, however, could face an equally difficult task.

While Netanyahu remains at the helm of his Likud party, this was the second time this year he’s been unable to form a government. With Israel's attorney general set to decide in the coming weeks on whether to indict Netanyahu in a series of corruption cases, the longtime Israeli leader could come under heavy pressure to step aside. One party rival, Gideon Saar, has already indicated he would challenge Netanyahu if Likud holds a primary.

In last month's national election, Netanyahu fell short of securing a 61-seat parliamentary majority. But Rivlin gave Netanyahu the first opportunity to form a government because he had more support — 55 lawmakers — than Gantz, who was supported by only 54.

Attempts at a unity government 

Netanyahu had hoped to form a broad "unity" government with Gantz, who heads the centrist Blue and White party. But Netanyahu insisted his coalition include his traditional allies, a collection of hardline and religious parties, drawing accusations from Gantz that he was not negotiating in good faith.

"During the past few weeks, I made every effort to bring Benny Gantz to the negotiating table. Every effort to establish a broad national unity government, every effort to prevent another election," he said. "To my regret, time after time he declined. He simply refused."

For Netanyahu, who turned 70-years-old on Monday, this failure is not unfamiliar. After the election in April, Netanyahu also failed to win a parliamentary majority, forcing him to call the indecisive September 17 election. Now, for the first time since Netanyahu’s election in early 2009, the country may choose a different leader.

In a short statement, Gantz's Blue and White party declared "now is the time of action." The statement went on: "Blue and White is determined to form the liberal unity government, led by Benny Gantz, that the people of Israel voted for a month ago." 

Benny Gantz: a newcomer 

The former general has vowed to unify the country and restore national institutions after Netanyahu's decade-long rule, which has deepened Israel's religious and political divides and been roiled by corruption allegations.

In contrast to Netanyahu, whose political career spans three decades, the 60-year-old Gantz only burst onto the scene over the last year. The Blue and White party itself is a newcomer, a centrist coalition that includes the popular secular politician Yair Lapid as well as other former senior military officers and some of Netanyahu's fiercest critics.

At times, Gantz has criticised Netanyahu's handling of security issues, particularly in the Gaza Strip, and has touted his time as army chief, during which he oversaw the devastating 2014 war there. He also has hinted at reviving the peace process with the Palestinians. But Gantz has been vague, apparently wary of alienating potential coalition partners, and focused most of his efforts at portraying himself as a fresh alternative to Netanyahu.

A future far from certain

There is no guarantee, however, that Gantz will succeed.

He has expressed willingness to form a partnership with Likud, but not if Netanyahu continues to lead given the legal problems he faces. But, for the time being, Likud has remained steadfastly behind its leader.

Without Likud, Gantz will have a hard time securing a majority in parliament. The opposition to Netanyahu includes a diverse group of parties, ranging from Arab parties to the secular ultranationalist party Yisrael Beitenu, that are unlikely to sit together in partnership.

If Gantz fails during his 28-day window, a majority of lawmakers could try to endorse a third candidate, something that has never happened before. And if that fails, the country would be forced into the unprecedented scenario of a third election in less than a year.

--AP

Comments

More in (in spanish)