Coalition warfare: The battle for influence in Bibi’s next government
D
espite the clear electoral victories of Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud and the right-wing bloc, the formation of a new government is proving difficult.
That’s because various members of the 65-member bloc are making demands on Netanyahu that often conflict, preventing him from finalizing a ruling coalition.
Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party, which won five seats, is demanding the portfolios of Defense, Absorption, Jerusalem, and Diaspora. Kulanu, the party of Moshe Kahlon, which suffered a dramatic decline from ten to four MKs, is demanding the Finance Ministry and a merger with the Likud that would bring it greater benefits.
The chareidi parties also have demands. The Likud opened negotiations for the next government, which officially began this past Sunday, with loyal partners United Torah Judaism and Shas, which won 16 seats collectively. Shas has requested the Interior, Housing, and Religious Affairs ministries. It also wants the new government to establish a department for French immigrants in the Absorption Ministry. Shas further wants the chairmanship of the Law, Constitution, and Justice Committee, deputy ministers in the Education and Finance ministries, and the chairmanship of another committee. If the coalition negotiations succeed, then Shas chairman Aryeh Deri will likely continue in his position as interior minister and the minister for the periphery, Negev and Galilee. The Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah will decide who will serve as the other ministers.
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