While Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beitenu party only earned six seats in the elections for 20th Knesset, the foreign minister finds himself in an unusually powerful position for a small party.
There are a number of possible coalition scenarios, but the one below, which includes the religious and right-wing parties is believed to be the ideal coalition that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will seek.
Likud: 30
Kulanu: 10
Bayit Yehudi: 8
Shas: 7
Yahadut Hatorah: 6
Yisrael Beitenu: 6
This coalition would leave the prime minister with a comfortable 67 seat majority.
Lieberman already announced he will only accept the Foreign Ministry, aware of his negotiating power in the current situation. If he does not receive the portfolio, which is likely to be the case, he will prefer the opposition which would leave the coalition with a one-seat majority of 61. It is most unlikely that Mr. Netanyahu will offer Lieberman the Foreign Ministry since he only has six seats.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
It makes no difference if they have him or not. Any party can bring down the coalition anyways, being as shas and UTJ will walk out together (hopefully).
I’m not sure I understand why Yisrael betenu helps bibi. With 67 he’s protected from shAs or utj?
I think bibi is most threatened by kulanu…. And noone can help him there
Impotent, not powerful.
He lost half his seats.
If he leaves the Nationalist coalition, it can function without him.
If he is seen as betraying his nationalist constituency he will lose ll his support