Israel's 26th Knesset Holds Inaugural Session Amid Government Formation Talks
The newly elected Knesset convened for its first session two weeks after the October 27 election, while coalition negotiations continue.
Israel's newly elected parliament, the 26th Knesset, met for its constituent session on Tuesday, roughly two weeks after the October 27 election and before a new government is established. Members were sworn in during the ceremony.
Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party secured the largest share of seats, winning 27 of the 120, President Isaac Herzog assigned former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot the task of forming a coalition. Eisenkot's centrist Yashar party placed second with 21 seats and received the most recommendations in the president's consultations with parties.
Eisenkot has an initial 28-day period to assemble a stable coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension by the president. If he fails, Herzog may appoint another candidate, who would also receive 28 days. Netanyahu is identified as the fallback option should Eisenkot be unable to form a government.