Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival, ex-military chief Benni Ganz, have made progress in talks about a grand coalition, according to media reports.
The right-wing conservative Likud leader Netanyahu and the political center candidate had negotiated more than seven hours during the night, Israeli media reported. Another meeting and then a possible settlement are expected later in the day, it said.
According to the information, a rotation in the office of prime minister is planned. First, Netanyahu should become head of government for one and a half years. In October of next year, Ganz was to replace him. Part of the agreement was also a promise that Ganz ’party would support a law that would allow Netanyahu to serve as vice-president and minister despite a corruption charge.
Significantly weakened without an alliance
In the argument over the step of Ganz his middle alliance blue and white had broken on Thursday. Only the Ganz party, Resilience to Israel, is reported to join the future government with Netanyahu’s Likud and possible other right-wing parties.
Israel has been governed by a transitional government under Netanyahu since late 2018. On March 2, citizens voted for a new parliament for the third time in a year. Again there was no clear winner, but Ganz was given the task of forming a government. He defends his political turnaround with the coronavirus crisis.
So far, a grand coalition with the Likud party with Netanyahu at the top had rejected because he was charged with corruption in three cases. Nevertheless, he does not think of resignation. The central election promise was always to replace Netanyahu as head of government.
