Anti-Netanyahu political maneuvers in Israel

Text by: RFI Follow

Almost all of the ballot papers have now been counted in Israel and the next Parliament is now emerging quite clearly. Benyamin Netanyahu's Likud comes out on top, ahead of his main rival, Benny Gantz. But the Prime Minister's coalition would only get 58 seats, three less than the absolute majority. Benyamin Netanyahu therefore remains in the minority. And the opposition wants to prevent it from forming a government.

Publicity

From our correspondent in Jerusalem , Guilhem Delteil

The initiative is now supported by all the opposition parties, the majority in Parliament. Together, they intend to adopt a bill that would prohibit a person charged with fraud from being Prime Minister: a situation which corresponds to that of Benyamin Netanyahu.

Sharing power

According to Bleu-Blanc, this law would only come into force after the next legislative elections and not immediately. The main opposition party hopes to push Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a power sharing, knowing that if he fails - and in new elections - he could not become Prime Minister. Bleu-Blanc wants an agreement in which Benny Gantz would serve as Prime Minister during the first half of the mandate, the time of the trial of Benyamin Netanyahu. He could then resume his duties if he is cleared by the courts.

62 votes out of 120

The initiative was immediately strongly denounced by the right-wing parties. Benjamin Netanyahu sees it as an attempt to steal the elections, a bill that " would undermine the foundations of democracy ". He accuses the opposition of having only 47 seats in parliament, against 58 for his party and his allies. For him, the Arabs, who have 15 seats and support this bill, " do not count in the equation ". But the parliamentary reality is different and this law would currently obtain 62 votes out of 120.

► Israel: how can Benjamin Netanyahu manage to form a majority?

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Download the app

• Israel
• Benyamin netanyahu