Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman said on Monday, November 2, that his party would recommend Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister and back B’Yachad’s Yair Lapid for Knesset speaker. The announcement comes as parties seek a path to forming a government following an election that left neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition bloc with a majority.
Speaking at a press briefing, Liberman rejected speculation about his party’s demands over the speaker’s position and said it would support Lapid’s stated ambition to take the role. Asked whether he expected to become prime minister himself, Liberman said he had no such expectations and was focused on establishing a government quickly enough to prevent another election.
Liberman said efforts to gather signatures to replace the Knesset speaker would begin the following Tuesday. He described the change as critical, including for the election of the state comptroller, and accused the incumbent speaker of acting as a political commissar and breaking parliamentary rules.
His endorsement of Eisenkot followed an announcement on Sunday by former prime minister Naftali Bennett, the leader of B’Yachad, that he would recommend Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog to form the next government. Eisenkot had previously argued that the largest party in the opposition bloc should supply its candidate for prime minister. Liberman did not announce an agreement within the bloc on that arrangement.
Reports had indicated that Liberman avoided calls from other opposition party leaders during the previous week. He nevertheless met Eisenkot on Saturday evening and also met outgoing opposition leader Lapid. Before Monday’s announcement, Liberman had reportedly favored Oded Forer, fourth on Yisrael Beytenu’s Knesset slate, for speaker.
Election results gave Netanyahu’s bloc 53 seats and the opposition bloc 48. The Arab parties have indicated a willingness to cooperate with the opposition to replace Netanyahu. Their 19 recommendations, combined with the opposition’s 48, could give Eisenkot 67 recommendations and potentially lead Herzog to choose him over Netanyahu to attempt to form a government. Presidential consultations with party representatives are expected to start on Wednesday.
The outcome of coalition negotiations remains uncertain. Possibilities include another election, a unity government involving Netanyahu and members of Eisenkot’s bloc, or a minority government. Opposition leaders have also reportedly agreed to make removing Speaker Amir Ohana, a Likud member, their first action after the new Knesset takes office.
Replacing Ohana would require a majority vote, with Arab party support potentially bringing the total backing to 67 seats. A new speaker could give the opposition greater influence over votes, legislation and committee appointments, even while Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister. The Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on November 10, irrespective of progress in government formation talks.
