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Israel's Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu: More time to form a government
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky/UPI Photo/IMAGO
Around five weeks after the parliamentary elections in Israel, President Izchak Herzog has granted ten more days to form a government in the country.
Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu now has until December 21 to forge a coalition, according to a letter from the president on Friday.
Netanyahu had previously requested a two-week extension.
The reason given was open questions in the coalition negotiations.
The letter does not explain why Herzog gave him only ten days.
In addition to Netanyahu's right-wing conservative Likud party, the right-wing extremist Religious-Zionist Alliance and two strictly religious parties are to be involved in the government.
The camp won 64 out of 120 seats in the Knesset in the November 1 election.
In principle, Netanyahu has already reached an agreement with his partners.
However, a joint coalition agreement is still pending.
An extension of the four-week period for forming a government is not unusual in Israel.
The looming new government is expected to push through sweeping changes - which could also play into Netanyahu's hands in his ongoing corruption trial.
Experts have already warned of the weakening of democracy in the country.
Several ministerial posts are to be filled with extremely controversial politicians.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, convicted of supporting a terrorist organization, is set to become Minister of National Security.
Before the new government can be sworn in, a change in the law will allow the leader of the strictly religious Shas party, Arie Deri, to become interior minister despite a conviction for tax violations.
Israeli media reported that this was one of the reasons for the request for an extension of the mandate.
sol/dpa
