Concern in the left bloc: Liberman demands to be first prime minister in rotation

Sources involved in the negotiations claim that Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman demands to serve first as prime minister under a rotation agreement, before Gadi Eisenkot. The left bloc fears that Liberman may be willing to renege on his commitments regarding the Arab and Haredi parties in order to secure the position.

Concern is growing in the left bloc and among opposition parties that the negotiations to form an alternative government may stall due to the demand of Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman to serve first as prime minister under a rotation agreement. This is according to sources involved in the talks held in recent days. Eisenkot's bloc won 48 seats and the Arab parties an additional 19, together 67 Knesset members, but without Yisrael Beiteinu's seven seats, the remaining parties have only 60. Liberman has become the kingmaker. According to the sources, the demand has become one of the main obstacles, and Liberman seeks to serve first and not agree to Eisenkot receiving the position first. The sources assess that Liberman would be willing to withdraw from his commitments regarding the Arab and Haredi parties as long as he gets the premiership first. The bloc estimates that Liberman will try to rely on the precedent of Naftali Bennett, who received the first term in rotation with Yair Lapid in 2021 even though his party was smaller. On the other hand, other sources admit that without Liberman there is no majority to form an alternative government, and formulas such as a short first term or division of senior portfolios are being considered. The demand contradicts Liberman's public stance, in which he stated that he would not sit with Netanyahu, Tibi, Goldknopf, Deri, or supporters of terror. The article does not include a response from Yisrael Beiteinu.