Anti-Netanyahu bloc weighs direct PM election bill to break political deadlock

Israel's opposition bloc is considering legislation to introduce direct elections for prime minister in a bid to break the political deadlock following Tuesday's inconclusive election and potentially form a minority government without relying on Arab parties, according to The Times of Israel.

The proposal would allow voters to elect the prime minister separately from the government, potentially enabling a candidate who wins the direct contest to form a minority administration without securing a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition secured a majority in Tuesday's election, leaving both sides struggling to find a viable arrangement to form the next government. Netanyahu had also pushed a similar proposal following the inconclusive March 2021 election, when his efforts to assemble a governing coalition had stalled.

However, implementing the proposed system would require an amendment to Israel's Basic Law: The Government, which currently requires a prospective government to secure a vote of confidence in the Knesset before being sworn in. The amendment would need the support of at least 61 lawmakers, The Times of Israel reported.

Meanwhile, demonstrations are expected across Israel on Saturday evening, with organisers calling for the opposition's so-called change bloc to form a government based on Jewish-Arab cooperation.

According to The Times of Israel, the Standing Together group has announced rallies at 7:30 pm at Tel Aviv's Habima Square, Jerusalem's Paris Square, as well as in Beersheba, Haifa and Tayibe. The demonstrations aim to press opposition leaders to recognise the bloc's electoral victory and form a government in partnership with Arab parties.

Tuesday's election saw the opposition secure 67 seats against 53 for the coalition. However, the opposition's tally includes 48 seats won by Zionist parties and 19 secured by Arab non-Zionist parties, whose support Jewish opposition leaders had previously been reluctant to accept.

"Protesters are demanding that the bloc's leaders recognise their victory and form a government based on Jewish-Arab partnership," the organisers said.

"The Jewish-Arab majority that voted for change must also be reflected in the next government. Now is not the time to abandon our partnership, but to turn it into a political force that changes reality. Arab votes are worth exactly as much as Jewish votes, and Arab citizens must be full partners in shaping the country's future," they added.

The rallies come as opposition parties continue to explore possible governing arrangements, with cooperation with Arab parties emerging as a key hurdle in their efforts to keep Netanyahu out of power.

The final official election results will be submitted to Israeli President Isaac Herzog on November 4, following checks into possible errors and other inquiries. The newly elected Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on November 10.