It’s has been about ten years since he was compelled to step down from office, but once again, Binyamin Netanyahu finds himself chosen, given the presidential mandate to attempt to form a coalition government. He has four weeks to accomplish the task.

His first move was to make public gestures to Kadima leader Tzipi Livni and Labor leader Ehud Barak, to take a bold step towards forming a stable broad national unity government.

While Netanyahu prefers moving ahead with the two, realizing the inclusion of Kadima would carry a high price, he also knows a right-wing government with a majority of 65 would not fare well and would most likely limp along and not complete a four-year term.

While Labor appears to be heading to opposition too, party leader Ehud Barak is not ruling out any possibilities, trying to leave a door open to secure himself a seat in the next cabinet.

Livni Tells the President No

There is anger being directed at Kadima leader Tzipi Livni among the staff of President Shimon Peres, releasing statement which exhibit a lack of political proficiency.

Officials explain that when meeting with President Shimon Peres on Friday, Livni stated she will not consider entering into a coalition government headed by Binyamin Netanyahu, stating a broad-based government “without a direction” does not serve anyone’s purpose.

After leaving the president, Livni continued releasing statements signaling she plans to head the opposition, but after a telephone conversation with Netanyahu, she agreed to meet with him on Sunday to hear what he has to say.

Netanyahu is willing to match Likud’s ministerial portfolios with the same number for Kadima, including two of the three senior posts, finance, defense or foreign affairs.

Livni on the other hand is expected to call on the incoming premier to agree to work to change Israel’s form of government, as well as to tear up the agreement reached between Likud and Shas, which according to reports includes renewed increased monthly child allowance payments.

It appears by all accounts that Livni is out of her league, and according to most, she is handling the coalition negotiations as a political novice, not exhibiting a willingness towards a minimum of flexibility or a vision vis-à-vis her party and the nation a number of months down the road.

Even her strongest party allies, including Dalia Itzik and Chaim Ramon are releasing statements contradicting Livni’s statement of intent, both aware that the doors to entering a broad-based coalition must remain open, at least for now.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)