Eisenkot seeks 58-seat minority cabinet as Bennett and Liberman demand 61

A dispute over the minimum number of Knesset seats required to form a government is splitting Israel's opposition coalition. Gadi Eisenkot argues the anti-Netanyahu camp can govern with 58 or 59 members, while rivals Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman insist on a full Zionist majority of 61.

Polls indicate the bloc opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu currently leads the outgoing coalition. However, current party agreements fall short of the 61-seat threshold needed for a standard government. Some surveys show the right-wing bloc near a majority, while others depict a stalemate. The electoral threshold may shift seat distributions, leaving the final government composition dependent on a small margin of votes.

Eisenkot intends to lead the bloc and serve as the primary candidate for government formation. He rejects a rotation deal with Netanyahu. His proposal allows a government to be sworn in after passing a confidence vote without the permanent support of 61 MKs. The administration would then work to expand its parliamentary base. Legal experts note that a government requires a majority in the confidence vote, not necessarily 61 affirmative votes, meaning abstentions can facilitate the swearing-in process. A constructive vote of no confidence against a sitting government, however, still requires 61 MKs to support an alternative.

Liberman categorically opposes a minority government, even a transitional one. He demands a Zionist majority from the outset and rejects a unity deal with Netanyahu. He stated another election is preferable to a government that fails his conditions. Liberman suggested bringing Likud MKs into a government without Netanyahu, though he has not named specific candidates or confirmed ongoing talks. Bennett and Yair Lapid, who lead the Beyachad list, also demand a Zionist government and refuse to rely on Arab party votes or abstentions.

Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, has not ruled out cooperation with Ra'am. A meeting between Eisenkot and Liberman this week produced a joint call to boost voter turnout but failed to resolve their strategic differences. Eisenkot hopes to lead the largest party in the bloc, while Bennett cites his experience as a former prime minister to claim the leadership role.

The opposition is also close to replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana before any coalition deal is finalized. This move aims to give Netanyahu's opponents control of the parliamentary agenda, even if he remains head of a caretaker government. Names raised for the speaker role include Chili Tropper, Matan Kahana, and Elazar Stern from Eisenkot's list. Meirav Ben-Ari and Eitan Ginzburg are candidates from the Bennett-Lapid list, alongside Efrat Rayten of the Democrats and Oded Forer of Yisrael Beytenu. Liberman estimated that one-third of outgoing coalition MKs might vote against Ohana, though they would need to do so openly.

The bloc seeks to advance a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks, modify conscription laws, limit the prime minister's tenure, and repeal certain judicial changes. Liberman also wants a bar on candidates facing criminal charges serving as prime minister. Party teams have begun coordinating on these legislative goals, but no binding agreement exists on the specifics or sequence of bills. The memory of the Bennett-Lapid government, which collapsed before completing its legislative agenda, continues to influence the current negotiations.