Jerusalem: Election Officials of Israel submitted the results of last week’s vote to President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday to avoid government formation and a fifth-time unexpected vote. The country is engaged in a special effort to overcome the political deadlock. Rivlin is now tasked with electing a prime minister whom he believes has the best chance of mustering a majority in the 120-member Neset (Parliament). The longest prime minister in Israel in this race is Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Likud, who has been subjected to corruption hearings.
These judicial proceedings are scheduled to resume next week. Rivlin said that the key to his decision will be which party leader can win the trust of Neset and form a government that can overcome differences. He said that this is what the Israelis want instead of the unexpected fifth round of elections.
He said, “I am hopeful that the people who have been elected will be able to listen to the voice of the people of Israel, show the wisdom to listen to their demand for a non-traditional union… ..”
Netanyahu’s Likud has emerged as the largest party with 30 seats. Together with his traditional nationalist and fundamentalist allies, he has got just 52 seats in Parliament. Netanyahu’s opponents have 57 seats which is less than the majority.
