Netanyahu asks for postponement of government formation in Israel Power struggle in Peru: President Castillo dissolves Congress, then arrested

About five weeks after Israel’s parliamentary elections, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu has applied for an extension of his mandate to form a government. A spokesman for his Likud party announced Thursday night that Netanyahu has submitted a request to Israeli President Izchak Herzog for another two weeks. Otherwise, his mandate will expire on Sunday.

Open questions in the coalition negotiations were cited as the reason. In addition to Netanyahu’s right-wing conservative Likud party, the right-wing extremist Religious-Zionist Alliance and two strictly religious parties will be involved in the government. The camp won 64 of the 120 seats in the Knesset in the November 1 elections. In principle, Netanyahu has already reached an agreement with his partners. However, a joint coalition agreement is still pending.

Netanyahu failed to form a government last year. However, it is not uncommon in Israel to extend the originally scheduled time by four weeks.

The imminent new government is expected to make sweeping changes — which could also play into the hands of Netanyahu in his ongoing corruption trial. Experts have already warned of the weakening of democracy in the country.

Before the new government is sworn in, a legislative change must be made that will allow the leader of the strictly religious Schas party, Arie Deri, to become Minister of the Interior, despite his conviction for tax violations. Israeli media reported that this was one of the reasons for the request for an extension of the mandate. Other ministerial posts will also be filled with controversial politicians.

If Netanyahu manages to form a coalition after a year and a half in the opposition, it would be his second comeback to the post of head of government. It was Israel’s fifth election in three and a half years. (sda/dpa)