ISRAEL BADLY NEEDS TO CHANGE ITS ELECTION SYSTEM ..... THREE ELECTIONS WITHIN A YEAR AND A FOURTH LOOMING AROUND THE CORNER DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR A STABLE GOVERNMENT

Knesset to take over process of naming PM after unity talks stall

Israel Hayom
April 16, 2020

Israel's president Thursday asked the Knesset to choose a new prime minister, giving the parliament three weeks to agree upon a leader or plunge the country into an unprecedented fourth consecutive election in just over a year.

President Reuven Rivlin made the move after his prime minister-designate, former military chief Benny Gantz, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to reach a power-sharing deal by a midnight deadline.

"I hope that the Knesset can find a majority that will allow for the formation of a coalition as soon as possible, so as to avoid holding a fourth election," Rivlin's statement said.

Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu missed a midnight deadline Wednesday to form an emergency government to tackle the coronavirus threat and prevent another costly and divisive election. But the sides agreed to continue the discussions.

Representatives from Netanyahu's Likud party and Blue and White gathered late Wednesday, after the end of the Passover holiday, for last-ditch talks on a power-sharing deal. If they fail, the country moves closer to a fourth consecutive election in just over a year.

The two rivals were given a 48-hour extension by President Reuven Rivlin on Monday to try to complete the talks after reporting "significant progress" in their negotiations. Although the deadline passed, they put out a joint statement early Thursday saying discussions would continue later in the day.

A deal would likely require major compromise by both men. During three bitter campaigns over the past year, Gantz vowed never to serve in a government under Netanyahu, who has been indicted on a slew of corruption charges. The long-serving Netanyahu, meanwhile, would likely be forced to step aside and allow Gantz to serve as prime minister for part of the time in a rotating power-sharing deal.

Last month's election, just like campaigns last September and April, ended with no clear winner. But with a slight majority of lawmakers endorsing him, Gantz was given the first shot at building a coalition.

Although his backers are deeply divided, they were united in their animosity toward Netanyahu, and he began to move forward with legislation that would have disqualified the indicted Netanyahu from serving as prime minister in the future.

But with the virus crisis worsening, and his own shaky alliance fraying, Gantz made an about-face late last month and accepted an offer from Netanyahu to pursue a joint government to deal with the pandemic. The move drew heavy criticism from Gantz's supporters and caused his Blue and White alliance to crumble, leaving him with a faction of only about half its original size.

With the passing of Wednesday's deadline, Gantz's mandate for forming a government technically expired. But the sides can continue discussions until parliament is formally dissolved.

Israel has reported over 12,500 cases and at least 130 deaths from the outbreak, which has paralyzed the economy, shuttered Israelis in their homes and driven unemployment to record highs.

Netanyahu and Gantz appeared close to a rotation deal in which each would serve terms as prime minister. But last week negotiations stalled, reportedly over a demand by Netanyahu to have more influence over judicial appointments.

Netanyahu is awaiting trial on charges of bribery, breach of trust and fraud. He has denied any wrongdoing and portrays himself as a victim of a media and judicial witch hunt.

After three nasty campaigns, plenty of distrust and bad blood remain. Despite his calls for unity, Netanyahu may actually be angling for another election to capitalize on what has generally been regarded as his capable handling of the coronavirus crisis.

A poll published late Monday on Channel 12 News showed Netanyahu's Likud surging in support and easily securing him re-election.

Netanyahu currently has the support of 59 lawmakers, just two short of a majority in the 120-seat parliament. If parliament is plunged into a three-week period of uncertainty, Netanyahu will likely use that time to try to lure a pair of defectors from the opposition to give him a majority and avert elections.

With the country led by a caretaker government and hobbled by legislative paralysis since the first election was called in late 2018, a fourth vote would extend the political crisis amid a global pandemic. It's unclear how an election could take place with present-day stay-at-home orders.