Talks in Israel to form next government could revert back to fourth elections

by Jordan Hilger, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – With talks between the two leading candidates for Prime Minister sputtering again, Israeli President Reuben Rivlin warned Sunday that a fourth election could be forthcoming.

Netanyahu rival Benny Gantz, who had been tasked by the President with forming the next government within 28 days, asked for a two-week extension on the mandate Saturday night before Rivlin denied him on Sunday.

“The president made the decision after also speaking with Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu,” the Office of the President said, “who did not confirm [Gantz’s claim] that the two were close to signing an agreement that would lead to a unity government.”

Rivlin said that after the mandate passed from Gantz Monday at midnight, “the mandate will revert to the Knesset, and the 21-day period will begin in which the members of Knesset must finalize a majority of recommendations for an agreed-upon candidate. That agreed-upon candidate will have 14 days to assemble a government.”

The Times of Israel reports that under Israeli law, the failure of a Knesset-appointed candidate to form the next government will result in fourth elections.

Netanyahu and Gantz seemed poised to form a national emergency unity government a few weeks ago, with Gantz betraying former allies to enter into a rotating premiership with Netanyahu, but now those same allies are suggesting Gantz present legislation that would prevent Netanyahu from serving as Prime Minister during his trial for breach of trust.

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