Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to wrap up a series of consultations with political parties aimed at forming a new government, with the talks scheduled to conclude on Thursday. The discussions come more than a week after Israel’s recent general election, which was described as divisive.
The president’s consultations are a constitutional step in Israel’s parliamentary system, during which he meets with leaders of the parties that won seats in the Knesset to assess their ability to assemble a governing coalition.
Herzog’s role is to identify the candidate most likely to secure a majority of support in the 120‑member parliament. Once the consultations end, he is expected to task that candidate with the formal task of forming a government.
The negotiations began shortly after the election results were certified and have involved multiple parties seeking to bridge policy gaps and allocate ministerial posts. The deadline set for Thursday provides a clear timeline for the president to make his recommendation.
Coalition‑building is a routine but often lengthy part of Israeli politics, as no single party has secured an outright majority in recent elections. The outcome of Herzog’s consultations will determine the next prime minister and the composition of the cabinet that will steer Israel’s domestic and foreign policies.
<small>Source: Africanews — read the original story there.</small>
