Israel: President Isaac Herzog is looking for head of government, Arab party supports Eisenkot

After handing over the official final results of the election in Israel, President Isaac Herzog began consultations on forming a government. Representatives from all parties will come to his residence in Jerusalem for talks until Thursday evening. "I intend to have open, frank and thoroughly critical discussions with the representatives of the parliamentary groups," said Herzog after receiving the official election results. He will also “ask difficult questions.”

Given the election outcome with no clear winner, Herzog said: "I want originality and creativity, courage and good will, so that Israel emerges as the winner in the end." He wants to avoid a new election if possible.

The strongest force in the election on October 27th was the right-wing conservative Likud party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with 27 of a total of 120 seats, followed by the centrist Jashar party of ex-military chief Gadi Eisenkot with 21 seats. Both parties have alliances with smaller partners.

Traditionally, the president assigns the task of forming a government to the candidate who he believes has the best chance of winning a parliamentary majority. This does not automatically have to be the leader of the strongest party. According to media reports, it is expected that Eisenkot will receive the order first because he could receive the most recommendations.

The Arab Raam Party supported the opposition leader. The party said on Wednesday that it had "decided to recommend Eisenkot for the formation of the next government." On Thursday she wants to present her recommendation in consultations with President Isaac Herzog.

With the support of both Israeli-Arab parties, Eisenkot's alliance could mathematically get 67 seats. 61 mandates are needed for a majority in parliament. However, opposition parties are divided over whether Israeli Arab parties should be involved in a government. No representatives of the Israeli Arab parties were present at the opposition bloc's deliberations on Tuesday.