Israeli President Isaac Herzog will begin consultations with the factions elected to the 26th Knesset on November 4, ahead of selecting a lawmaker to form Israel’s next government, the President’s Residence announces.
Eyal Shviki, director general of the President’s Residence, says he has invited the heads of all elected factions to the consultations, urging them to approach the process with an “open mind” and a willingness to compromise.
“The president expects [faction] representatives to come to the consultations with an open mind, ready to listen, to share ideas, and to prevent another round of elections,” Eyal Shviki said.
He expressed hope the consultations will take place “in a dignified, respectful, and substantive manner,” amid tense uncertainty over the formation of the next coalition, following last week’s inconclusive election.
Last week’s elections saw Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc denied a majority, with the parties in his ruling coalition claiming 53 seats in Israel’s 120-member Knesset. Parties in the bloc aligned with Netanyahu’s main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, won 48 seats, leaving neither man with an obvious path to forming a government.
