Even if Likud/Beitenu negotiators succeed in building a coalition, presenting the new coalition to President Shimon Peres will be on hold until at least Wednesday, 2 Nissan 5773 because Mr. Peres has left for an official state visit to Europe. The president is scheduled to return during the predawn hours on Wednesday.

Prior to actually presenting his coalition, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu must inform the president that he succeeded in assembling a government that he believes will receive Knesset approval.

Even if a deal is signed with Bayit Yehudi and Yesh Atid, the coalition agreement must be presented to Knesset and they may only be approved 24 hours later. Only after this is approved may the coalition be presented to the Knesset for approval.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)