How Israel Will Choose Its Next Prime Minister, Explained
Israel’s election is over, but who will lead its next government remains undecided. Here’s how that decision will be made.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog appointed Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief and leader of the center-right Yesh Atid party, as the country's new Prime Minister on Nov. 8, 2026. This follows Israel's recent national elections, where no single party secured enough votes to form a majority government. Herzog gave Eisenkot 28 days, up to Dec.
6, to assemble a coalition that can gain the confidence of the Knesset, Israel's parliament. If successful, the government would take office upon winning a confidence vote within seven days. The process involves forming a coalition with other political parties, despite their differing policies and priorities. Currently, Netanyahu's Likud party and its allies hold 53 seats, while Eisenkot's coalition has 48 seats from four Jewish-led parties and 19 seats from two Arab-led parties.
To form a government, these parties must negotiate an alliance that meets or exceeds the required 61 seats, or join forces with each other if some parties abstain. The election results have already weakened Netanyahu's position, as opposition parties have taken control of key roles within the Knesset.
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